There is no doubt in mind that this is one of the most important doom albums ever released, no matter what the doom sub-genre may be. There, I’ve said it, no all I have to do is try to justify it. This is much more than yet another Sabbath or Cathedral copyist that is into navel gazing and ponderous drawn out riffs, but is much more about atmosphere and using the power of doom to set the scene and the whole band taking the listener on an emotional journey. Singer Sindre Nedland has only been with the band for a couple of years, as has bassist Rune Gandrud, but it feels like he has always a core member of the band such is his importance to the overall sound.
There are lots of layered vocals, and at times it is evocative of Gregorian chant, yet the vocals may also rise and create something that atmospherically is quite different to what else has been going on. The symphonic keyboards also have an important part to play, and at times it feels that the band is striding through the mists on the moors at twilight, with the light and shade combining to keep changing the observers view of what is actually happening. This music is incredibly complicated and passionate, and while all of the songs are connected through a similarity in approach and guitars they are all very different to each other indeed.
I haven’t heard as much Funeral as I should have, and this album has inspired me to find out more – the sudden dramatic shifts, the feel of orchestration, the sheer presence of these guys has combined to produce an album that is truly epic in so many great ways. If you ever thought that doom was boring and that having heard one song on an album that you have heard them all, then you need to totally rethink and change your views, and this is the album to do just that. Incredible.
