The Slow Death -- exquisite melodic doom from Australia

The Slow Death

Siege

Transcending Obscurity Records

27 August 2021

Tyranny 19:13

Famine 13:44

Pestilence 19:39

Ascent of the Flames 10:28

The Slow Death features Mandy Andresen (ex-Murkrat, Crone) on vocals and keyboards. In some places there is deep, gruff growling by Gamaliel (ex-Oracle of the Void), sometimes a considerable amount, with the melodic singing of Andresen taking a substantial share of the vocals. On bass they have Dan Garcia (Horrisonous, Illimitable Dolor), with fellow travelers: on guitars and keyboards Stuart Prickett from Horrisonous and Illimitable Dolor, two entities for which Yonn McLaughlin also drums, in addition to Temple Nightside and Nazxul. Metal Archives shows the names of a bunch of other associated acts, including Stuart Prickett's live performances with beloved doomsters Mournful Congregation. With such a cast of experienced characters it is guaranteed that this will be a quality album. The aesthetics of doom (funeral, death, atmos-pheric, epic) have taken winding roads to arrive at the crossroads called The Slow Death.

There are two specific reasons for checking it out. First, the melodic singing of Andresen colors the vibes. Her voice is soft, pleasant, and mellow throughout. The voice could take you places, and they would be gentle, maybe melancholic, perhaps grey, maybe happy. The other reason would be the drawn-out, extended melodies (like on "Pestilence") that provide such a contrast from the aethereal death/funeral-ish heaviness, which is the underlying foundation. Expect a good variety of tempos (not a one-dimensional, super duper stand-still slow recording), including some (dare we say it) headbanging segments (like on "Famine"). There are three previous albums, with the most recent in 2015. Audiences interested in a more melodic, more elegant, varied form of doom may really, really enjoy the 2021 return of the Australians.

Siege (Atmospheric Death​/​Doom Metal) by THE SLOW DEATH (Australia)