Review: Mourning Beloveth – 'Rust & Bone'

MOURNING BELOVETH
'Rust & Bone'
VÁN RECORDS

Irish doom metal outfit Mourning Beloveth may have been around fro a quarter of a century, but there is no sign that their innovative and experimental approach to the genre is showing any signs of letting up. The band's latest album, 'Rust & Bone' is heavy on atmosphere and bleakness with their death-doom core augmented by an almost cinematic swell of ambience that makes this album a deeply enticing listening experience.

Across the five sprawling tracks the band incorporate doom metal, death metal, black metal and folk metal elements in varying quantities. Songs such as 'Godether', 'The Mantle Tomb', and 'A Terrible Beuty Is Born' in particular play fast and loose with the genres as well as the heavy and melodic elements of the band's sound. The end result is a rich tapestry of mood and feelings set against bludgeoning doom. While the likes of the brief interludes 'Rust' and 'Bone' provide dream-like segues from one track to another.

The production fits the earthy and atmospheric song writing very nicely. It is a little bit rough around the edges, most overtly on the quieter and more melodic sections. But when things get heavy (and they do) this is quickly obliterated by the ferociousness of the recording.

'Rust & Bone' is a brilliant example of doom metal done right. The band don't rest on their laurels and continue to push their ideas. The song writing, compositions, and performances are all high quality. As mentioned before the production is a little off in places, but nonetheless Mourning Beloveth have still crafted a stunning album here and one perfect for this time of year. 

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