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Indesinence: Vessels of light and decay

15/11/12 || gk

I first heard of Indesinence when The Meads of Asphodel started dropping their name in a couple of interviews. Further investigation revealed a solid death doom act that brought classic UK doom metal to mind but with members serving time in Code, Cruciamentum and Grave Miasma among others it seemed like the wait for a new album would be a long one. Well, six years after the debut, the band is back with their follow up album “Vessels of light and decay”.

What we have here is 63 minutes of some seriously accomplished death doom that harks back to the British founders of the genre but does more than enough to carve out a place for the band that could well be their own. It feels like the time the band members have spent in various other bands has held them in good stead because the song writing here is of a remarkably high quality. At first listen “Vessels…” might not seem like much but as you give this album a chance it will seep into your pores with its majestic riffs and melancholic mood. 14 minute album opener “Paradigms” is a case in point. The riffs start slow before gradually ascending in tempo and heaviness till there’s a solid mid paced groove but it’s the band’s ability to change tempos and bring in a melancholic atmosphere that raises this song and much of this album to a level of quality that is rare for this genre. Its heavy as fuck, the slow parts are crushing and when vocalist Ilia Rodriguez throws in a Tom G. Warrior grunt or two, I can’t help but smile. Elsewhere on the album is the superb “Fade (Further beyond) which is just as long as the album opener but goes for a more melancholic and tortured approach. Again, this is a quality doom metal song that has the power to wash over you in waves of despair and just as easily turn it into an all-out assault on the senses as the song progresses.

I suppose My Dying Bride’s “As the flower withers” and Anathema’s “Serenades” both play a part here in terms of influence but the band has replaced the gothic flavour with a palpable sense of despair and loss. There’s no romantic yearning and weepy sadness here; just crushing death, despair and loss. Guitarist/ vocalist and main man Ilia Rodriguez has spent time with Esoteric, Panthiest and served as live guitarist for Code and there’s definitely a sense of evolution here from the debut. The songs hold together in a better fashion and even with the sometimes daunting song lengths, things never get boring. The rest of the band is spot on too. John Wright on second guitars is solid and that rhythm section of Andy (bass) and Dani (drums) create a solid foundation for the riffs with a thick and heavy bottom end.

“Vessels of light and decay” is another fantastic doom release for 2012. I can’t remember the last time a single year has yielded these many quality releases in this genre but I’m not complaining. File this album next to Anhedonist’s “Netherwords” in terms of quality but with a distinct British atmosphere and song writing sensibility instead of the murky low end rumbling of Anhedonist.

Indesinence has created an album that is essential listening for genre fans and might have something in it to appeal to all fans of heavy music.

8,5

Information
Released: 2012
Label: Profound Lore Records
Website: Indesinence MySpace
Band
Ilia Rodriguez: vocals, guitars
John Wright: guitars
Andy: bass
Dani: drums

Tracklist
01. Flux
02. Paradigms
03. Vanished is the Haze
04. Communion
05. La Madrugada Eterna
06. Fade (Further Beyond)
07. Unveiled

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