Search - While Heaven Wept :: Vast Oceans Lachrymose

New Torchholders For Doom?

Joseph Leap | 01/04/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I only recently became a big fan of doom metal (special thanks to metalcrypt.com and metal-archives.com), and I've got to say, I think that While Heaven Wept have (or at least, should) become the new band to carry the flag of doom metal into battle. They are all expert songwriters and musicians who craft truly huge, epic, and beautiful music.



This band has become sort of an underground legend over time. I actually never would have found this band if it weren't for sites like metalcrypt.com and metal-archives.com, and I'm incredibly grateful for it.



This band does call themselves doom metal, but on this CD, you won't find much atypical doom material aside from the lyrics, which are as to be expected, mournful and depressed. However, soundwise, they have found an incredible balance between triumphant and sorrowful, sounding very solemn and proud. This is graceful, majestic music that oozes class and passion.



It surprises me that this band has existed for so long, put out so few full-length albums, and has still gone unnoticed! This is really incredible music that focuses more on the epic aspect of doom than the depressing musical route so many bands take. I must say, it's a refreshing change of pace, one which has caught my attention. Since I got the CD, I haven't been able to listen to anything else. The Furthest Shore is now definitely in my Top 5 Epics, keeping a beautiful balance of crushing doom riffage and beautiful, melodic passages. However, Vessel is my favorite song on the album, and definitely one of, if not the best, song(s) ever written, with a head-bangable main riff and a gorgeous chorus that will stick in your head until you die.



Before I bought the CD, I did listen to some more of their material, and I can say that one of the biggest differences between this and their older albums is the change of vocalists. In their back catalog, guitarist Thomas Phillips doubled as the singer, and he was phenomenal, but it really shows that their new singer, Rain Irving, is completely preoccupied with singing. You can tell he's giving his undivided attention and energy to crafting beautiful vocal melodies that are sung with passion and melodicism not seen in many singers today.



Overall, the band has achieved a better balance between instruments, creating truly beautiful music in the process. I'd recommend this to anyone who listens to REAL music."

While Heaven Wept - Vast Oceans Lachrymose

Ghost In The Ruins | The Volunteer State | 11/11/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have to start off by saying, I don't give 5 stars easily. With that said, credit is due where credit is due. While Heaven Wept is a band that's been around for two decades, but only have a handful of releases. The majority of those releases fall under the category of "doom" metal, but not so much so with their latest, Vast Oceans Lachrymose. It seems the band has blended the perfect formula of "doom", power and melody to form a very "epic" sound. There is a healthy amount of double bass, crunchy guitar riffs, tempo changes and yes, doom riffs. That's all topped off with a very tactful usage of keyboards. Overall, if you're a fan of power, progressive or doom metal, you should dig this release. There's a healthy balance of all elements here to create one of the best metal releases of 2009. What a way to close out the year!"