Despite their extremely competent musicianship and solid songwriting skills, obscure doom metal outfit Mourn is perhaps best remembered for the presence of a female singer within their ranks, a true rarity in the doom metal field. Carried forth by singer Caroline Wilson's highly operatic style, the band's doleful anthems of woe acquire an even more dramatic quality, particularly reminiscent of early Candlemass. Powerful, but not all that flexible, her voice still manages to provide an interesting contrast for the group's ungodly de-tuned riffs, a combination which is best exemplified on the surging "Iron Sky" and the almost overwhelmingly heavy "Children of the Circle." Somewhat less inventive tracks like "Drowning" and "Through These Eyes" see the album taking a nose-dive, quality-wise halfway through, but Mourn manage to recover in time for a strong finale, delivered via the surprising acoustics of "After All" and yet another excellent riff-wielding behemoth called "Forever More." All in all, a pretty solid doom metal album for serious fans to seek out. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia|
Rovi
バルセロナの4人組による初作です。退屈と怒りを剥き出しにしたシャウト混じりの女性ヴォーカルは、若き日のPJ・ハーヴェイを彷彿とさせるもの。演奏スキルよりも衝動こそが大事!とばかりに、すべて2分前後で畳み掛ける11品のガレージ・パンク曲からは、ラモーンズへの憧れが見え隠れしています。この青臭さと熱さに即トリコとなりました。私的年間ベストの最有力候補!
bounce (C)小泉いな子
タワーレコード(vol.376(2015年2月25日発行号)掲載)