SonikGoat
Extreme Metal, in all its guises, seems to oscillate between two states: on one hand, the worship of the comfortingly familiar—usually through the repetitive perfection of rigid forms; on the other, the “outer limits” of Metal serve as a home to a ceaseless churning of these forms. 2024 has seen several excellent releases that together confirm that for every clutch of bands setting out to achieve perfection in older styles, there are those striving to take Metal in new, sometimes startling directions. Thus, we have Blood Incantation fusing ripping Death with the rich analog sounds of seventies Prog Rock and synth; Ingurgitating Oblivion pushing the envelope of avant-garde composition and technicality; or Iotunn fearlessly combining Prog innovation with Heavy Metal passion.
Funeral Doom is not always regarded as a home for innovation, as it is a sub-genre typically formed around despondent acceptance of certain well-worn tropes. However, the predictability of this style now invites ambitious and creative talents from around the world to reinvent and reimagine it. QAALM has applied such talents on its latest album: Grave Impressions Of An Unbroken Arc, in the process giving Doom-based music (Funeral or otherwise) a huge shot in the arm and creating one of this year’s best and freshest-sounding albums.
I’ve been following Henry Derek’s output for a while now, ever since he appeared as a collaborator on an album with Jarboe (of Swans fame). In 2022, he played lead guitar and sang backing vocals on QAALM’s excellent debut full-length, Resilience & Despair. Since then, there have been comprehensive changes to the personnel. Today, QAALM, now reinvented as a three-piece, features Henry as the lead vocalist, lead guitarist, and, I’m guessing, principal songwriter too. In this new guise, they’ve turned in yet another strong contender in a year already full of Album of the Year potential.
All but the nine-minute closer, “Hangman’s Lament”, clock in well over ten minutes. So far, so Doom. Yet while Doom is certainly the backbone of the album, it also serves as a platform for a blend of groove-laden Death/Doom that often shifts up to mid-paced thrash metal tempos. However, what transforms this from a great album into something exceptional is the melodic aspect. Henry Derek delivers a stirring vocal performance that stands up to the massive guitars. Right away, this makes “Borderlands” a truly memorable opener, but throughout, the band displays an amazing ability to unleash choruses worthy of the likes of Faith No More or Type O Negative, executed with total cohesion and belief.
“Shadows Behind The Sun”, the album’s second track, must surely be regarded as one of the best pieces of music this year has to offer. The Doom spine is again evident from the opening bars, but before we can settle into the song, it bursts into an icy blast of Black Metal, before transmogrifying into a coiling section of sludgy death-doom groove. Superb. Name-dropping again, the chorus here would please Mike Patton, and like Faith No More, the ability to switch tones from headbanging to radio-friendly is one of the band’s greatest strengths.
The Doom sections encompass not only the groove of Sludge but also the forlorn cry of Gothic Doom, which often gave me vibes reminiscent of My Dying Bride and Evoken. The transitions from these slower moments to faster Black Metal tempos or thrashy chugs happen seamlessly for the most part, but to labor a point, the soaring clean vocals are what truly elevate the emotional resonance of the album to a new level. I’ve dropped many big names in praising this record, and I know that can sometimes front-load expectations, but I only mean this as a compliment to QAALM. The way in which all these influences are woven into its own unique tapestry is what makes them a rising force in today’s heavy music ecosystem.
Finally, a quick word on the lyrics: It’s great to be able to read them easily (albeit online only so far), and while they are nearly as devastating as the music at times, they add yet another element of sincerity and power to this already awesome album. Do yourselves a favor and find some QAALM in the storm that is 2024.
Label: Hypaethral Records
Release date: 1 November, 2024
Website: https://www.facebook.com/qaalmband
Country: USA
Score: 4.8/5.0 (at least)
Metal Eclipse Reviews 
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