Suffering so you don't have to!
Vicky
Errata before even starting this article: I got lost somewhere around the presence of bonus tracks and regular songs, so there might be a few errors in my review. The band we’re talking about today is Gloombound, from Norway. But, lucky for you, I’m not in the mood to discuss the endless stream of “trve”-ness that comes from their homeland again. Let’s keep things short, simple, and lovely.
Pegah
The American death/funeral doom band Evoken returns with Mendacium, their newly released album steeped in medieval anguish. According to their Bandcamp, the record unfolds in the 14th century, following an aging Benedictine monk stricken with illness and confined to his monastic chamber. His unwavering devotion to God brings neither solace nor redemption. As his body withers and sleepless agony consumes him, the cover art vividly mirrors his torment — a visceral portrayal of suffering and spiritual decay. The spreading blood evokes a sense of sacrifice, as though he is being devoured by his own faith, while the stark contrast between light and shadow within the stone walls captures the divide between his inner torment and the unreachable world beyond.
Pegah
Sometimes a bond forms between you and an album that feels utterly singular—something that can’t be replicated, only forged through endless replays of the same tracks. For me, Monotony Fields became exactly that: one of the most influential records in guiding me toward the realm of Funeral Doom. The summer of 2016 was steeped in the soundscapes Shape of Despair summoned from the depths of darkness, and even now, each listen evokes emotions that their later work has never been able to recreate.
Metalcatto
When you think of Funeral Doom, Costa Rica might not be the first place that comes to mind. The weather is warm, the scenery is beautiful, and people are often associated with an easygoing, happy way of life. Yet even in paradise, shadows can grow long, and Perishing proves it with its debut Malicious Acropolis Unveiled. This is not a casual dip into melancholy—it’s a grim, oppressive, and deliberately heavy work that aims to pull the listener deep into a world where hope is an illusion. The name alone feels like an ominous gateway, and maybe the music behind it delivers on that promise.
Metal Eclipse Reviews 