Metalcatto
I know! We’ve just reviewed some Death/Doom, so why are we doing it again? Well, not every day do we get some of it from Poland, and I thought, well, let’s see if pierogi isn’t the only thing they do differently there. So here we are, ready to dive into some hardcore depression that somehow makes us feel good for at least a few minutes before we’re dragged back into the pain and sorrow of capitalist existence. Oh, sorry! This is Death Has Spoken’s Elegy — let’s go!
Elegy is kind of curious. At first, it hit me like a straightforward Death/Doom album that didn’t lean too heavily on the mellow side of the genre — this isn’t Finnish after all. The first half leans more toward aggression and proper Death Metal, while the second half shifts into melodic territory, almost Post-Metal at times. Death Has Spoken manages to explore familiar places while adding enough twists to keep things interesting. Surprisingly, it even feels relaxing by Metal standards — like if Nailed To Obscurity decided to chill out a little while still sprinkling harsher riffs into the mix.
It’s a consistent album overall, and I have to admit closing with an Agalloch cover somehow works. The band manages to adapt it to the mood of the rest of the album, which is rare since most covers ruin the experience for me. The other tracks sit in the mid-length range, delivering that familiar sorrow reminiscent of bands like Soliloquium. It’s a promising listen, but I have to set aside my bias for anything with bleak guitar tones and point out a few shortcomings.
The thing is, Elegy works — it gives exactly what’s promised. There’s nothing wrong with it, but we’ve definitely been here before. Innovation in Death/Doom has become increasingly rare, and while this album is enjoyable and comforting in the way I could leave it on all day, it does play things a bit safe. Perhaps Death Has Spoken would benefit from shorter tracks to make the flow more dynamic, but that’s just me nitpicking.
If you’re one of Pegah’s readers, this is for you. It has all the Swallow The Sun and Officium Triste vibes you need to fuel your self-loathing and agony. But if you’re growing tired of the Death/Doom formula, Elegy might be a harder sell due to its devotion to the great old traditions of the genre. As always, make sure you’re stocked up on tissues.
Label: Meuse Music Records
Release date: 17 October 2025
Website: https://www.facebook.com/deathhasspoken/
Country: Poland
Score: 3.3/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 