Structure - Heritage

Structure is a death/doom metal band from the Netherlands, formed in 2021by former Officium Triste guitarist Bram Bijlhout.  Their latest album, “Heritage,” is the project’s full-length debut; an EP was also released in 2022.  

I reviewed that EP when I worked for Metal Temple—I’m very excited to be able to review this debut on my own website.  Simply put, “Heritage,” is everything the self-titled EP was plus more.  Bram handles all the guitars, bass and keys.  Officium Triste vocalist Pim Blankenstein provides vocals and Dirk Bruinenberg (Elegy) handles the drums.

At its heart, “Heritage” is death/doom: crushing, slow riffs, and deeply monstrous vocals.  But that isn’t all that is offered.    Across its7 song, 50 minute runtime, Gothic and melodic textures dance among the graves, recalling the heyday of the genre.  

The usage of keys adds a lot of the dimensions well; they are subtle but always perfectly placed in just the right moments.  An example would be the opening song, “Will I Deserve It.”  Over the course of about a minute and a half, the keys add a regal morbidity while building up tension.  That tension breaks when the heavy but melodic tinged riffs roll over alongside death growls.  The band is very well versed in quickly settling into a doom groove.  This is a great opener because it sets the tone smoothly across its 7 minute runtime. The leads are fantastic and I might even call them beautifully, but in a way that only doom can be. 

Speaking of which, the opening lead guitar on “Long Before Me,” helps unfurl the song in a natural way.  Even the oppressively heavy bass and drums seem to just expertly meld into the shadows of the atmosphere.  The whole band moves as one dark entity, making this song one of my favorites on the album.  Around the halfway mark, the drums kick up the tempo while the riffs add just enough melody for a truly special atmosphere, loaded with Gothic intricacies and details.  The last two minutes or so are darkly gorgeous–lush guitar leads and fantastic drumming bring out a whirlwind of emotions.

The title track shows the band is just as effective using clean instrumentation and liminal spaces to get their doomed point across.  The first two minutes are “quiet,” but yet speak volumes.  This passage makes the heavier parts seem even more potent.  As the song approaches the four minute mark, the vocals grow more violent and the drums begin to push up a lot of energy.  It’s highly effective and it makes the slow moving music sound surprisingly chaotic and destructive.  At the 4:41 mark, some of the best riffs on the album arrive; sinister as hell and heavy as the universe.

The final song, “Until The Last Gasp,” is one of the more emotionally devastating songs I’ve heard this year.  Everything about it represents what doom is all about: facing the unfathomable darkness.  It’s grim, sad, but also oddly hopeful.  The end is nigh but it’s also a chance to finally let go.  Bittersweet victory?  Maybe that’s all life is.  

Structure’s “Heritage,” is a monumental achievement in doom for early 2025.   I’m very excited for what will happen in the future but, for now, I’m happy to wallow in their current misery. 

Rating:  Excellent