My Dying Bride
Turn Loose The Swans
[Peaceville]


1. Sear Me MCMXCIII
2. Your River
3. The Songless Bird
4. The Snow In My Hand
5. The Crown Of Sympathy
6. Turn Loose The Swans
7. Black God

(playing time 58:15)

Wonderful doom band from the 'English school' released this album in their peak period. After the doom/death-oriented 'As The Flower Withers' this album has more dynamics in the songs, there is more room for silence and tranquil interludes.

This album should be listened to as a whole to really grasp the oppressive atmosphere. Studying the lyrics while listening to the album is highly recommended. The intro, consisting of piano, a bit of brass (probably synthetic though if you get what I mean) and softly, almost sensually spoken vocals sets the stage for the rest of the album. The lyrics are about two persons parting from each other (perhaps by death, or by something else, who knows?) and are very depressive, and so is the atmosphere. After that, 'Your River' starts, IMO the weakest track on the album. This song doesn't really have a natural 'flow' to it, I also think the vocals could have been used better, now Aaron just sings along the guitar melodies while he has the power to really lead the music. Still a good song, but the feeling _really_ kicks in with the monumental starting riff of 'The Songless Bird'. It rises in a menacing way, only to tumble down to its starting point again, I wish they make them like these today!

The greater part of the album is really slow doommmmmm metal with the occasional violin playing along (but keep in mind that My Dying Bride was one of the first bands to do so). The music is not a 'wall of sound' as on their previous album, the production is more spacious and sometimes there is much silence. This creates a very dark and sad atmosphere, combined with the powerful clean vocals and HEAVY grunts, and perfect drumming (every hit is really a HIT) this makes for a landmark doom release. I told you about the lyrics already, they greatly fit the album. I'm not going to interpret them here, everyone should do that for themselves, needless to say that these are not self-gratifying goth crap, but poetic sketches of the emotions coming forward through the music. Hey, listen and read for yourself!


© 2000 dwaallicht