I became interested in British doom metallers My Dying Bride after hearing someone refer to one of my favorite bands, Theatre of Tragedy, as 'My Dying Bride with a female vocalist' You know I simply had to investigate after that. Does that make me gullible or does that make me wise? Well, both.

Over the past several months, I've come to the conclusion that I do enjoy some of My Dying Bride's music. Songs Of Darkness, Words Of Light is an exception. This release is dull and repetitive as can be, with virtually no moments of distinction and creativity.

I wonder how it can be possible that I dislike something that frequently uses dirgey, dark, slow, heavy guitar riffs and well-written, melancholic lyrics. I mean, that sounds like something I'd be really into. But taking into consideration Aaron Stainthorpe's lifeless vocal performances, and the fact that it is no easy task to distinguish one Songs Of Darkess, Words Of Light song from another, it becomes much easier to see why this release is a complete waste of a metal fan's time and cash.

The weak opening track "The Wreckage Of My Flesh" initiates with Stainthorpe's tortured screams, which would be fine if used in moderation to maintain the song's intentionally doomy atmosphere. Instead, Stainthorpe's high-pitched shrieks seem pointless as they go on for almost a minute before plunging into the lazy, repetitive main riff. Slower and almost as aggravating as the driver in front of you going 20 MPH when the speed limit is 60, "The Scarlet Garden" continues the suicide fest, while offering nothing memorable in the process. Stainthorpe's clean vocals are used more here, and they're actually more obnoxious than his screams and growls. The weird thing is that on earlier My Dying Bride albums, there are times when he sounds good -- here, he opts to stick with this nasally, agonizingly monotonous tone for the duration of the entire album.

Coming in next are "Catherine Blake" and "My Wine In Silence," easily the two most worthwhile songs on Songs Of Darkness, Words Of Light. "Catherine Blake" earns points for its intriguing guitar arrangements, which have add a unique sense of hopefulness to this mournful song, and its poetic lyrics about a beautiful woman, religion, and of course, the cessation of life.

Catherine smiled. Took a fabulous breath
Of summer air. And tasted death.

"My Wine In Silence," the album's shortest song at just under six minutes in length, pairs lush, gentle guitar melodies and delicate keyboards with Stainthorpe's despondent vocals. Halfway through the song, things take a much darker turn, as Stainthorpe utilizes his demonic screams; the music itself, remains solemn and slow. I'm always impressed by the dynamics of this song. It just doesn't seem to fit in on this otherwise samey, repetitive album.

"A Doomed Lover" closes Songs Of Darkness, Words Of Light much the way it was opened: the listener will likely not remember a thing about it. Stainthorpe's spoken words and whiny vocals fall deaf on ears searching for emotional, varied music, while the same snail paced, funeral-ready guitar riff creeps on with no intention of stopping.

Songs Of Darkness, Words Of Light is depressing indeed, but that is certainly not what kills it. This album has rarely a moment of variety, choosing instead to repeat itself an unnecessary and abnormal amount of times in one hour. My Dying Bride can, and has, done much better; that can easily be seen by listening to one of their early gothic releases, such as Turn Loose The Swans. If I knew nothing about older My Dying Bride music, I never would have guessed that Songs Of Darkness, Words Of Light was made by a band that is fully capable of making good music.

So unless your interest is typically peaked by emotionless vocals with no range to be seen, backed by the same guitar riff that hammers itself into your skull so slowly that at times it seems to be lunging backwards, Songs Of Darkness, Words Of Light is probably not going to appeal to you. Hey, I can dig doom metal, dirge paced riffs, and depressing lyrics. I can also tell when doom metal is well done and when it's not. Songs Of Darkness, Words Of Light does not triumph.




Recommended: No