Pegah
Sometimes, carrying on, just carrying on, is the superhuman achievement.
― Albert Camus
Barren, a Death/Doom Metal band from New Jersey, is releasing its debut album, The Hanged Man now. Formed in 2020 by friends Andrew Campbell (guitars, vocals, bass) and Nick Bonsanto (drums, percussion), Barren channels personal struggle and resilience into five powerful tracks. As Campbell shared on the band’s Facebook page, the album reflects his journey through one of the darkest periods of his life:
“Almost five years ago, I had brought ruin upon every aspect of my life. There was an evil residing deep within me—a madness that compelled me to destroy every good thing that had ever come into my life. I fell deep into the waking nightmares of drug addiction and all the hopelessness and strife that came with it”.
With this context, the album cover’s hanged figure comes into sharp focus as a symbol of Campbell’s experiences. The young man, hung by his feet, embodies suffering and suspension between life and death. Nearby stands a dark, hooded figure holding a serpent, painted black to represent death but standing outside the frame, perhaps as a witness or representation of dark thoughts. The serpent, a complex symbol, can signify death, evil power, rebirth, or even immortality; in this context, it seems to evoke the sinister forces encircling human existence.
At first, I expected The Hanged Man to follow the typical Doom Metal formula, with its characteristic low-tempo heaviness. But as “Unheard” began, I was surprised—and slightly thrown—by the sound. This isn’t classic Death/Doom Metal. The lyrics delve into themes of desperation, frustration, and confusion, which align with Doom, but the vocal approach is more akin to Death Metal and Sludge, a defiant and raw expression that reminded me of Cult of Luna.
In “Death Interrupted,” the guitars and drums intensify, and the vocals grow more brutal. “Ruminations” returns to a slower tempo with cleaner vocals; the second half is marked by sustained screams mingling with brutal growls. The album’s most Doom-inspired track, in my opinion, is “L’appel Du Vide” (The Call of the Void), the album’s longest piece. The song weaves elements of Black and Death Metal, as Campbell noted: “This track was a huge struggle for me to complete. It has a ton of twists and turns and moves far beyond the singular classification of Doom Metal.” Finally, “Among the Pines” starts with a well-crafted intro, slow and almost meditative, which quickly escalates. Here, the vocals lean even more heavily toward growls, setting a dark close to the album, which begins and ends with the sound of rain—a haunting touch.
All in all, The Hanged Man is a story of self-destruction and hopelessness, capturing Campbell’s darkest days. I found a deeper connection to the album after reading his notes; knowing the story behind the music made the listening experience richer and more intense. But before diving in, bear in mind the complex, layered nature of this album—it’s an intricate sound, a distinctly American take on Doom Metal.
Label: Skull House Records
Release date: 31 October, 2024
Website: https://www.facebook.com/BarrenDoom
Country: USA
Score: A hanging 3.5/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 