Sorrowful Land - Hiraeth

Sorrowful Land is a death/doom metal band from Ukraine, who formed in 2014.  It’s actually a one-man project from musician Max Molodtsov.  “Hiraeth” is the fourth full-length album under the moniker; a demo, split, and an EP have also been released. 

I reviewed the previous album, “Faded Anchors of the Past,” when I worked for Metal Temple so I was excited to dive into this one. How does this one compare?  Sorrowful Land have definitely upped their own game and it doesn’t hurt that Stefan Nordström (Soliloquium, Ashes of Life, Desolator) helps out with vocals.  Max himself is an absolutely outstanding musician and songwriter.  On this album, he weaves plenty of epic doom tales, each of them stuffed with memorable riffs and emotional melodies and harmonies.  “Hiraeth,” is one heavy album and it can be quite intense at times but it’s also gripping, atmospheric, and even cinematic in its breadth and scope.

It sounds like a dream too—the production is clear and concise, allowing each individual element to stand out on its own while also working together the greater whole.  This might just be one of the best sounding albums I’ve heard in this second half of the year. 

The album wastes little time in getting started, as evident with the ultra-crunchy riffs of the opening song, “The Day Is Past and Gone,” and the sweeping but sad melodies that accompany it. It’s pretty damn crushing but isn’t afraid to show off a softer side as well.  After the halfway point, a wonderful clean passage arrives.  This piece fits in perfectly between the two halves of the song!  Despite the stark contrasts, it does make sense emotionally and the song remains smooth through the transitioning back and forth.

I love the deep, darkened tones of “Dark Trinity.”  The heavy and light elements blend together effortlessly with a steady, pulsating beat in the song’s opening minutes.  The growls are massive and deep, sounding like gravel being scrapped up.  Their harsh presence pairs perfectly with the music.  Henrik Ekholm (who has helped Soliloquium and Sorrowful Land in previous releases) returns with his cleans—they are truly astounding, and I can’t think of a better song for them to be on. His part is both emotional and catchy!  What more could you want?

“In Times of Endless Night,” is one of my favorites on the album.  I like the drums that ramp up the urgency early on, allowing the guitars to make their way in.  Together they build a tapestry that breaks loose at the one-minute mark.  The growls devastate their way through on top of slow, sullen riffs, and a void-like rhythm section.  The guitars open up a bit and let some of the album’s best, most groove-oriented riffs slowly crush.  The song growls choppier with its heaviness and more dynamic with its melodies as the seconds rush by before a beautifully tragic piano piece arrives.  This is doom.  

The album ends on the title track—what an ending it is!  The long build up is sprawling and massive.  There is a Gothic tone to the riffs, but the lead guitar adds an unique energy to the song.  The keys layer the song as it switches from heavy, to light, and. back around again.  The inner dynamics here are impressive.  I like the guitar solo a lot too—-it is placed exactly where needed and stays just long enough to be effective.  

Sorrowful Land’s “Hiraeth,” is yet another high-quality release in the band’s arsenal.  As we wind the year down and cooler temperatures arrive, this is the perfect album to welcome the impending cold melancholy that is going to embrace us all. 

Rating: Excellent