Marianas Rest - The Bereaved

Marianas Rest is a melodic death/doom band from Finland that formed in 2013.  Their latest album, “The Bereaved,” is their fifth full-length album; they have also released a demo.

I discovered this wonderful band when I reviewed “Ruins,” way back in 2019.  A lot has happened since then, both with the world and my own personal life.  I’m honored to be able to review “The Bereaved,” because it is a nice feeling knowing this band continues to be by my side.  There is no doubt that I’m not the only one who feels this way.  

As far as their overall discography goes, this album just might be their best one yet.  From the beginning of its 10 song, 57-minute runtime, the album took me on an emotional but honest journey.  

Production/mix still remains of the band’s best weapons—the album sounds straight up amazing.  As in the past, they always have a huge space for their music to live and breathe in, without compromising the genre’s much needed ability to feel oppressively heavy. 

Few bands in the modern scene can match Marianas Rest’s ability to balance atmosphere with real song structures.  “The Bereaved,” is both atmospheric and heavy as hell, a true mix of melancholic textures and melodic tinged death/doom.  You can be extreme in both music and emotions— "The Bereaved,” straight up nails this notion. 

The album opens up with “Thank You for the Dance,” and I have to say it has actually made its way up the list of my favorite songs by the band.  The intro is long and quiet, gentle chants/cleans slowly building up to a sorrow laced textures before wonderful cleans make their way through the forefront.   Once the full band comes in around the 2:23 mark, it’s like a raging cold inferno.  

Every member of the band is at their best.  Aapo’s keys continue to play a big role in the band; he isn’t there to fill up space—he is the space, the texture, the very feel.  Nico M's. and Harri's guitars, as always, ride the line between placing notes down that can crush or weep.  Niko’s bass and Nico H’s drums continue to prove their stalwartness and both of them know exactly when to pour it on and when to hang back a bit. 

And what can be said of vocalist Jaakko?  His growls/screams are insanely well done, and he continues to showcase why he is one of the more powerful ones in the business.  There are some cleans sprinkled throughout as well—expertly done and not overused. 

Music this sad and melancholic isn’t always as infectious as other styles but “Divided” proves it can be done.  The opening melodies are catchy, and the song immediately sticks into the brain. I love how the keys open up the void for the vocals to come roaring through, the rest of the band comfortable enough to allow this needed moment—it makes it all the more potent when the guitars kick back in full force after the 2-minute mark.  The synergy of this band is incredible and songs like this really prove that.

“Burden,” is another song that has grown to be a favorite of mine.  The feel of it just hits right in the, well, feels it does indeed feel like some kind of crushing burden as the heavy riffs and keys blanket the song.  The clean instrumentation and vocals are placed perfectly, bridging the gaps with a battle of light and dark tones that culminate in a melodic dirge that ends the song with a bang.

“Goodbyes and Good Intentions,” is a harrowing song that will hit home for a lot of people. The death growls are so emotive—-anyone who says extreme vocals can’t do that just haven’t heard this band.  The lead guitars pull at the heartstrings, ringing every lost drop of melancholy out of the song. The mid-section is one of those moments that is both dark and beautiful—and worth revisiting if you can handle the toll.

“The Colour of You,” is the fantastic final fall off this descent into the bleak.  The whole band moves as one, all the good and heavy things about the band coming together for a slow whirlwind that brings out the best the band can offer.

Marianas Rest’s “The Bereaved,” is an amazing way for the doom genre to begin in 2026.  It also a good place to start for fans new to the band but it will definitely retain all their old ones as well. 

Rating: Excellent