ALBUM REVIEW: Mysterium Tremendum – Lord Dying

There’s a tendency in the current metal scene to ‘outdo’ – to go heavier, to compose longer, or to combine ever more styles. Portland’s LORD DYING don’t seem to be interested in such competitive pursuits. Though their third full-length, Mysterium Tremendum, certainly features long compositions, raging heaviness and a broad range of influence, it never seems forced; it’s the work of a band staying true to, yet expanding upon, their roots.

Opener Envy The End chugs in with hard panned riffs that slide into a racing, pacey drive. There are some subtle shades of latter-day METALLICA in Erik Olson’s layered clean vocals that rise above the stop/start riffing. Tumbling away, they clean up their act with a drifting, dreamy section that evokes the spiralling airiness of recent MASTODON, climbing dual guitars ascending towards the end. Tearing At The Fabric Of Consciousness is tentative, frail guitars and clean, layered vocal harmonies interposed with big crunchy chords. Nearing The End Of The Curling Worm (which sounds unfortunately like a euphemism for a certain toilet act) tears straight into a grooving drive, parked vocals and stuttering guitars giving way to gentle drifting that morphs again into soaring vocals and ascending riffs. The End Of Experience waah’s with buzzing feedback, crooning vocals at odds with scuzzy bass and piercing guitar squeals. The repeated refrain of “There is no god, there is only us,” can’t help but stick with you.

Exploring Inward (An Unwelcome Passenger) drips with warm feedback, rising to rushing snares, pulsing kicks and trilling tremolo. Severed Forever buzzes and crunches, the rhythm section setting a base layer for sparring guitar gymnastics. Even The Darkness Went Away is a change of pace; folky clean vocal rounds and listing acoustic guitars sound like something straight from the psychedelic ’60s (aided by the ‘old school’ production filter). Freed From The Pressures Of Time warbles with synth, unsettling like a horror soundtrack before evoking more hazy acid folk, driving triumphantly to a close.

Lacerated Psyche rings with a bright looping acoustic before shifting into snaking rhythms, Matt Price’s warm bass like a heartbeat beneath spiralling, airy guitar licks; without a doubt the album’s brightest track. Split From A World Within, Devoid Of Dreams contrasts pretty guitars with heavy slabs of chug, setting a thrashing pace on the back of relentless kick drumming before closing with a seemingly unnecessary fade out. While track ten seems like a natural album closer, rising and falling as a solid ending statement should, Saying Goodbye To Physical Form rolls around with blaring synths and wailing guitar cut from pure 80’s cock-rock cloth. It’s an extended instrumental summary of all the dynamic elements of the record, but one that perhaps isn’t entirely required.

Mysterium Tremendum is solidly constructed, put together by a band with a keen vision and unity of purpose. While the concept (fittingly for their moniker) may focus on death, maudlin and dour this is not – frequently uplifting and versatile in its dynamics, it’s an enjoyable listen that could perhaps have done with being a few tracks lighter. Nevertheless, an enjoyable listen.

Rating: 6/10

Mysterium Tremendum is out now via eOne Music. 

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