ALBUM REVIEW: Heretics & Lullabies – Frayle

Ohio doom metal purveyors FRAYLE is the realisation of musicians Gwyn Strang (vocals) and Sean Biloveck (guitars). For the past several years, their blend of atmospheric, occult-driven doom and heavier blackgaze has drawn interest from a variety of quarters. The sonic profile that they have been able to create with a myriad of elements blended together has got them notoriety and consistently labelled as exciting ones to watch in the modern doom scene. New album, Heretics & Lullabies feels like a compelling destination of all their compositional achievements thus far.

While FRAYLE have presented a unified musical style on their previous release. Conjuring a swirling and enchanting atmosphere which has served to earn them deserved plaudits.  Heretics & Lullabies sees them truly lean into their strengths of Strang’s captivating vocals and the crushing weight of the guitar riffs that Biloveck is able to seemingly effortlessly deliver to enhance and support the songs. Add to this already powerful combination a truly mesmerising aura of effects and multi layered harmonies.  This is a sumptuous doom-laden musical experience from start to finish.

Emotive weight and passion are the core of the FRAYLE DNA. This is recognised by the powerful yet eerie introduction in the form of Walking Wounded.  All the elements of the FRAYLE are assembled into a rippling, gothic darkness. Poetic in the melancholic melody, however the heaviness is simmering just below the surface. Providing a powerful counterpoint and strengthen the atmospheric sound. The swirling, utterly bewitching style progresses unabated into the cover of LANA DEL RAY hit Summertime Sadness. Here it has been totally transformed and expertly twisted into a whole new entity. Like all truly great covers, the shadow of the original remains, just enough to amplify the wow factor of what has been created. Here, Summertime Sadness is suddenly an ethereal doom masterpiece, as if it has always been this way.

Recognising their strengths and projecting the creative experience that they’ve so far achieved, FRAYLE have constructed a masterpiece. From those early tracks Heretics & Lullabies continues to shift, flowing through emotional ranges of grief, anger, sadness and pain. All the big doom metal tick boxes are accounted for, but there is far more to enjoy. Lushly layered harmonies engage, like a whispering shadow beckoning the listener forward. Yet there is a lurking menace in those shadows. Demons, Hymn for The Living and Heretic are prime examples of this. FRAYLE is capable of balancing the delicate and the dangerous. The elegance of the melodies is enhanced by the sheer brutality of the riffs and rhythms and on the latter of those three deep album cuts, there’s a counter point guttural vocal to Strang’s graceful lead and the result is wholly compelling.

With this release, FRAYLE will undoubtedly leave a powerful mark on 2025 both in the doom scene and wider alternative music scope. It’s a record that on its surface is very easy to engage with, however, there is a far greater substance to be explored that repeated listens will reward. Not only a fulfilment of the FRAYLE musical vision, but a much broader statement that their pre-existing fanbase will surely rally behind. This is what the wider doom audience have been overlooking. Heretics & Lullabies will surely propel FRAYLE into the fore, going from ones to watch to ones absolutely not to be missed.

Rating: 8/10

Heretics & Lullabies is out now via Napalm Records.

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