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Mourning Beloveth - "Dust"

Eight years since their inception, Irish doom heroes Mourning Beloveth have finally got around to releasing their début album. Maybe there's some correlation between the speed of bands' music and the frequency of their releases; compare, say, veteran grinders Agathocles splattering out a split 7" every five minutes with Mourning Beloveth's slothlike dirges being demoed every two years. Coincidence?

Flippancy aside, Dust is without doubt one of the most honest, moving and crushing examples of early-90s style doom that's assaulted these ears since... well, since the early 90s. Whilst undoubtedly drawing influence from the usual suspects (early Anathema, Paradise Lost, and in particular My Dying Bride), Mourning Beloveth have attracted many admirers in the international underground over the years by carving an individual sonic niche for themselves and stamping a distinct personality on the original blueprint. Part of that personality comes in the shape of clear, clean vocals which soar sadly and serenely over deep, Darren White-esque heartfelt growls; such a twin vocal approach is not common, and here adds an extra dimension of freshness. It's also pleasing to note that both vocalists have significantly improved their skills since the last demo, Autumnal Fires, which, despite the high praise it received from Moondance magazine ("demo of the issue", no less), I find quite unlistenable at some points. No such problems dog the band any more.

The Academy production lends the riffage a much-needed suffocating weight, and let's face it, Mags is the man to ask for this kind of thing, being the grandaddy of the thick, bottom-heavy droning doom guitar sound. Mourning Beloveth clearly knew exactly what they wanted, and appropriately headed to the correct professional. Dust is certainly not to be missed if you're doom-inclined.

Esoterica magazine-(Netzine)