Review GODTHRYMM ‘Distortions’

The dark sound, coming out of the speakers fits perfectly to the grey and rainy clouds outside. Untimely November weather blows over the northern parts of Europe in August this year and provides the right scenery for an album like ‘Distortions’.

‘Distortions’ is the sophomore release by UK-doom metallers Godthrymm. The quartet consists of former members of bands like My Dying Bride, Anathema, Vallenfyre and Solstice. To be precise, it is Hamish Glencross (guitars/vocals), Catherine Glencross (keyboards/vocals), “Sasquatch” Bob Crolla (bass), and Shaun “Winter” Taylor- Steels (drums) who follow their passion for slo-mo metal with a strong melancholic touch.

Doom metal at its finest is what the second release offers, and it all starts with the mighty ‘As Titans’. The eleven-minute opener is more than just a song. It is an epic and versatile way to start an album that feature great music. Slower doom riffs meet the atmospheric middle part with Catherine Glencross emotional and tangible vocals.

The second epos on ‘Distortions’ is called ‘Follow Me’ and comes towards the end of the tracklist: Supported by My Dying Bride mate Aaron Stainthorpe, Godthrymm unveil the entire and darkened beauty of atmospheric doom metal. The song is a twelve-minute elegy, build on an excellent riff and emotional depth. Some spoken words provide an extra twist to this cinematic and gloomy anthem. The heaviness of this song doesn’t purely count on riffs and rhythm. It is the emotional vibe that puts some weight on the listeners soul.

‘As Titans’ as well as ‘Follow Me’ are surrounded by six equally good songs. I would like to mention tunes like the snail-paced ‘Echoes’ that touches right away and wraps one into a veil of sadness and grief.

Mightier and louder is the start of ‘Obsess and Regress’. It’s one of the heavier songs on the album in which the female vocals act as a counterpart to the enormous guitar power.

‘Distortions’ is an album that fully builds on grief, loss, and regret. At the same time there is always a glimpse of hope and love swinging with each of the tracks. This emotional rollercoaster, together with a creative vision and musical expertise is what makes ‘Distortions’ to a pretty cool album that will wipe away all sunrays in no time.