Review LORD DYING ‘Clandestine Transcendence’

Lord Dying hail from Portland, Oregeon and their debut album ‘Summon the Faithless’ hit the shelves in 2013, following two EPs. ‘Sludge’ is still what you hear and read often in the context of Lord Dying and of course, songs like the throbbing ‘Final Push Into the Sun’ show the doomy rawness of sludge. But what also stands out especially since the ‘Mysterium Tremendum’ release are the progressive structures and melancholic depth. Both of these trademarks come to shine in the complex and twisted ‘Dancing on the Emptiness’. With a running time of more than eight minutes, Lord Dying show their entire potential when it comes to versatility.

‘Clandestine Transcendence’ picks it up where the band left off with ‘Mysterium Tremendum’. The predecessor kicked off a trilogy about death of which the newest album marks the second chapter. The Dreamer, as the main character, was introduced on the earlier album. The protagonist is immortal and yet has one wish – dying. On the new record The Dreamer gets his wish fulfilled which allows the album the address the topic of life beyond death. Hereby the band creates an impressive atmosphere that catches the listener right away.

Although the songs on ‘Clandestine Transcendence’ are more complex and equipped with twists, like in ‘A Bond Broken by Death’, each of the tracks unveils its musical and gloomy beauty right away. It doesn’t take long to dive into this musical world that is provided by the Portland four-piece as the band offers melodic bridges all the way to the finish line. At the same time each of the twelve songs on the album features enough passion for details, providing listeners with a long-lasting delight when it comes to album and songs.

‘Clandestine Transcendence’ is a really cool album that showcases a highly creative band. The rawness of sludge and the filigree song-structures of progressive music blend in a great fashion and I had to think of bands like Mastodon and also Opeth while listening to the album. I was reminded of these bands not exactly because of their musical direction but because of their approach and when it comes to Opeth because of their transformation along the way. ‘Clandestine Transcendence’ will be a delight for fans of sophisticated music that blends raw heaviness with melodies and emotion. ‘Clandestine Transcendence’ – an emotional rollercoaster that offers many rides.