Death Has Spoken - Elegy

 Death Has Spoken is a melodic death/doom metal band from Poland who formed in 2017.  Their latest album, “Elegy,” is their third full-length album; they have also released two splits.

I didn’t review it, but I really enjoyed their previous album, “Call of the Abyss,” and it was my introduction to the band.  “Elegy,” is easily a step up from what was already an impressive sound.  

The band’s approach to melodies is very catchy—despite the album being almost an hour long, it feels far shorter because of how well each song sticks out while flowing into the next one.  “Elegy,” is very well-written and everything has its place—it feels very complete instead of just a random mix of songs like a lot of albums do. 

I like how the album doesn’t always wallow in its atmospheric misery—it can be very riff based at times.  Combine this aspect with the melodic textures and I would say this is a very guitar-oriented death/doom album, rather than depending on atmosphere and liminal textures alone.  

Listen no further than the opening song, “Within the Hills,” to hear what I mean.  This song has a ton of groove and during the slower tempo passage, the tone of the guitars/bass is still very weighty.  The rumbling after the 4:30 mark is massively aggressive, yet it slides effortlessly into a wonderful doomy passage that grows into a very melodic, almost cinematic, ending. 

The band continues to excel with their slower speeds, when they take their time and let the songs unfurl on their own, an almost organic experience.  “Beyond The Pale Horizon,” feels like a world into itself, alive with beautifully tragic melodies that aren't without darker horizons. The nooks and crannies of the song is filled with slick melodic leads, drums that push the notes around the bend to the next month, and deep growls that are among the best I’ve heard this year.  A wonderful clean passage after the 5-minute mark grips as tightly as the heavier parts—once again, the band is able to expertly give each song what it needs.  The buildup back to high levels of intensity is gripping.

“Upon The Verge,” is one of my favorites on the album, with its melancholy riffs that have a sense of urgency, bolstered by the bass drums.  The opening guitar solo is a catchy as hell yet emotional: this is how you doom.  The vocals sound desperate and clawing, every pain filled growl echoing throughout the river of dour riffs that they float upon.  The middle passage is laced with deep riffs, and just enough groove.  The last minute has a blistering solo among depressive riffs and growls, a sterling combination of Gothic dimness and pressing urgency.

I usually don’t talk about covers in my reviews, but this album has an impressive Agalloch cover of “Our Fortress Is Burning II - Bloodbirds.”   Honestly, this might be one of the best covers I’ve heard in recent memory.  They definitely honor the original while making it all their own—even as being someone else’s song, it fits perfectly into the sounds and context of the previous seven songs.  

Death Has Spoken’s “Elegy,” is a highly impressive doom metal album that is sure to impress fans of the more melodic side of death/doom.  

Rating: Excellent