Veteran metal act While Heaven Wept might have finally gotten the big break they've long been looking for, as the band recently signed to Nuclear Blast and now have a new platter of progressive doom titled Fear of Infinity. These guys have been pumping out one solid release after another for many years, but with the mega metal label behind them, and a killer new release, hopefully big things are to come for this underrated group.
Calling While Heaven Wept a straight doom metal band doesn't really do their music justice. Though they do have a lot in common with acts like Candlemass or Solitude Aeternus, there's a certain progressive metal element, ala early Fates Warning, that also permeates their sound. On Fear of Infinity, the band, who are comprised of Tom Phillips (Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards), Rain Irving (Vocals), Scott Loose (Guitar), Jim Hunter (Bass, Vocals), Jason Lingle (Keyboards), Michelle Loose Schrotz (Keyboards, Vocals), and Trevor Schrotz (Drums ) have put together seven epic sounding songs that deliver crushing doom, gorgeous atmospheric soundscapes, and progressive arrangements.
The two songs that kick off the CD, "Hour of Reprisal" and "Destroyer of Solace" are short numbers that allow the band to flex their metal muscle, complete with churning guitar riffs and Irving's soaring vocals. "Obsessions Now Effigies" is a more doon laden, slower track, again put together perfectly, and that leads into the stunning "Unplentitude", a lovely prog rock styled ballad with gorgeous keyboards supporting Irving's amazing vocals. From here the album moves into lengthier and more epic song structures, starting with the melancholia drenched "The Grieve Forever", as acoustic guitars and waves of keyboards eventually give way to crushing riffage and emotional vocals. "Saturn and Sacrifice" is monstrous doom, featuring booming riffs and pounding riffs, but the use of delicious harmony guitar lines effectively adds another element that elevates the song to one of the CDs best. Irving also hammers out a strong & foreceful vocal on this one as well. The album closes with the 11-minute "Finality", a moody yet melodic number with many textures and tones. If doom metal could ever be called 'beautiful', this would surely be a fine example. Tasty lead guitar, huge beds of keyboards, passionate vocals, and heavy guitar riffs, it's all here.
Basically, if you haven't discovered this band by now, there's no better time than the present to dive into While Heaven Wept with their latest Fear of Infinity. This is stunning stuff here folks, an album to make all their loyal fans quite happy, and one that will have all the newbies scattering to gobble up their entire discography.
Track Listing
1. Hour Of Reprisal
2. Destroyer Of Solace
3. Obsessions Now Effigies
4. Unplentitude
5. To Grieve Forever
6. Saturn And Sacrifice
7. Finality
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