Tribunal - In Penitence and Ruin

Tribunal is a Gothic doom metal band from Canada, who formed in 2019. Their latest album, “In Penitence and Ruin,” is their second full-length album.

I reviewed their debut album, “The Weight of Remembrance,” and loved it. How does this one compare? Right off the bat, I can tell this one is much more aggressive. The extreme vocals from guitarist Etienne Flinn are pushed up a few notches, into raspy, vicious blackened screams. As far as I’m concerned, this is fantastic and adds so many great dynamics to the sound. 

Soren Mourne’s vocals have been given an upgrade too—-somehow even more emotional and maybe even a little operatic and theatrical. Nothing wrong with that, at all. The two of them share the vocal load more equally now, with a more natural, organic approach.

Musically, the band is still very much entrenched in the Gothic side of doom. I believe that, compared to the previous album, “In Penitence,” is less plodding and funeral in exchange for a much heavier approach. It’s still slow, it is still mournful, but there is a certain viciousness to the music that wasn’t there before.  

The production/mix helps out on all fronts as well—the album sounds amazing and every little morbid note can be heard–can be felt. Nothing has to fight to be heard, especially the band’s secret weapon: Soren’s cello. Her playing is impeccable and it helps the band stand out from the crowd. Her instrument’s presence is much greater this time around. It is impressive how well the guitars and cello work together on the songs, too. So many doom bands make it sound like the guitars, or the song themselves, were written around the other instruments. Not here. Everything works together for the greater whole. 

The opening song, “Incarnadine,” sets the tone immediately. The regal cello hits as hard as the riffs which are made of an impenetrable Gothic density. Both vocalists Show off their jobs, diving straight into the deep instead of wading. The Keys are simple and even a little subtle but they make all the difference in the world in helping the macabre melancholic world come to life.

“Angel of Mercy,” opens with guitars and bass that wouldn't sound out of place on a My Dying Bride album. This is a crushing piece of music that shows how much heavier this album is than its predecessor. Around the halfway mark, melodic riffs, keys and cello swirl together for a Gothic embrace. The drums are so well done that it’s almost scary–exciting, energetic, fresh, and complimentary of the song structure. I love just after the halfway mark where the riffs and cello sort of hang in the air between the spaces while the blackened screams burst forth.

I read some other reviews saying the second half is weaker—I couldn’t disagree more. “The Penitent,” is really one of the more penultimate songs the band has written. It takes all the ingredients that makes the band, and album, great and displays them across a five minute little epic that hits all the right now. The guitar melodies are classic Gothic doom—and catchy as hell. Both vocalists express a ton of emotion and every element gets time to shine.

“Armoured in Shadow,” is another banger that opens with dour melodies that are immediately gripping. The drums are very clever and help push the song forward, grabbing all the details along with it. My favorite part is after the 3:32 mark with the melodic riffs and haunting screams that rip through just before the guitar builds the melody back up before the chorus hits once more. 

The final song, “Between the Sea and Stars,” is one of the album’s best moments. The somber, sullen intro is majestic as it is stark. It rolls forward and builds up all kinds of little details as it opens the door for a ridiculously great clean vocal passage. This song is like a dark doom opera, such is the way it blends theatrics into its corridors. The last couple minutes or so are fantastic, what with the extreme vocals pulling up besides the guitar melodies.  

Tribunal’s “In Penitence and Ruin,” is not only avoids the dreaded sophomore slump but manages to surpass the debut and solidify the band as a major player in the doom scene. Highly recommended. 

Rating: Excellent