Structure – Heritage

It’s been a bit of a slow year for Doom so far (hehe!), but maybe that’s about to change – because when you see Structure‘s Heritage cover art, you know there are only two ways this can go: breathtaking and unforgiving Death/Doom, or just a bloated, pretentious mess. There’s next to no middle ground when it comes to releases that take themselves this seriously, where everything feels personal and built through time and pain. There’s not much else I can say to introduce a project that promises so much from the start, yet we all know how full the world is of disappointment. So let’s see what we have here.

It’d be easy to say that Heritage is a more grandiose and epic take on the Officium Triste formula – after all, its main member is Bram Bijlhout. However, there’s more to it than that. Heritage is an exploration of history – not in some general sense, but of personal history and how time destroys while simultaneously building everything anew. It’s about how we gradually become who we are based on what we’ve inherited from previous generations. Sometimes that inheritance comes with tremendous pain – both from circumstances beyond our control that have shaped us, and from missing those who are gone.

“Catto, where are all the jokes?” Well, Structure isn’t here to be funny. Its long, hypnotic melodies and atmospheric explorations – though they come close – never quite cross into the symphonic realm. Instead, they add novelty to riffs that owe much to October Tide, Saturnus and early Swallow the Sun. Pacing is always a challenge in Death/Doom, but I believe Structure manages to stay engaging even in its quietest moments. The album isn’t afraid to use silence as a powerful emotional tool – but don’t worry, there are enough crushing, old-school Monolithe-style moments here to make your speakers burn just a little bit more.

So, anything to worry about? Well, Heritage is clearly made for those who already love Death/Doom. I’m not sure it’ll convert you to the sad faith – not that it particularly cares about trying. I did feel things dragged slightly around the album’s midpoint, as the beginning and end are noticeably stronger. But I can’t deny it: I’m an absolute sucker for this sound and vibe. This could’ve been yet another sentimental nostalgia trip, but somehow it ended up being far more dignified.

If you’re looking for solemnity in your crushing Metal, Structure has demonstrated exactly how it should be done. As someone currently dealing with loss, this album became a meaningful way to remember those no longer with us – people we keep alive through our actions and memories. That’s what good art does: it transports you across time and space, making you feel things you thought were gone forever. In that sense, Heritage has not just succeeded – it’s left its mark.

Label: Ardua Music

Release date: April 25, 2025

Website:
https://structure-doom.bandcamp.com/

Country: Netherlands

Score: An orderly 4.0/5.0