Soothsayer - The Unbinding

Soothsayer is an atmospheric doom metal band from Ireland who formed in 2013.  Their latest release, “The Unbinding,” is their second-full length album; they have also released two EPs, a split, and a live album. 

It has been five long years since I reviewed the previous Soothsayer album, “Echoes of the Earth,” when I worked for Metal Temple.  It’s pretty cool, and exciting, that I get to review the next full-length album, “The Unbinding.”  

So, what has happened in five years?  Do we get the same Soothsayer?  A different one?  Worse or better?  Honestly, in my humble opinion, “The Unbinding,” blows the previous album away (which says a lot).  There is less abrasive sludge on this album—the band is leaning more into extreme, ultra heavy doom a lot more.  For me, there is nothing better.  And it’s my review so let me have this win and celebrate with the band.

It’s also much more cohesive, focused with elements of black metal and funeral doom.  These dynamics make for an album that is quite arresting and filled with energy that ebbs and flows alongside tempo changes and a good variety of vocals. 

The production/mix is a lot sharper and clear this time around.  While I don’t think this approach would have worked for their debut, it definitely works here for this slightly new direction they are taking.  The melodic, somber tones need to be heard because their prevalence makes the album even better. 

“The Unbinding,” flows well too and I like how the longest song is saved for last—the beginning of the album is explosive and the ending is epic.  As far as track list placement goes, this is a pretty perfect experience.  The 45-minute runtime across the five songs is very solid, making it easy to want to listen to it all over again.  

As I mentioned previously, the opening song, “Eroding the Sky,” begins quickly and within seconds it's a raging river with turbulent drums and blackened vocals leading the way.  The doom is birthed from this passage, the song slowing down with atmospheric riffs, low vocals and melodic guitar.  I like the bass a lot too, a good low end that compliments the melody.  There are some incredible doom grooves as the song approaches its halfway point but the drumming that accents them is equally as impressive.   he mid-passage is my favorite and just how I like it: low, slow, and destitute.   The song ends on a cacophony of chaos with deadly toned riffs, acidic screams, and a blitzkrieg of drums.

“Endless Shesha,” is one of my favorite songs on the albums due in no small part to the absolutely miserable moments of doom metal that carry the song on a dirge of death growls, morbid guitars, and interesting drums that pull the ears around to all that is going on while maintaining a keen focus on moving the song forward.   The songwriting here is clever because it slowly unleashes a subtle build-up.  As the doom washes over the senses, whiplash suddenly hits when the band returns to blackened properties.

The final song, “A Vague Shimmer,” is spellbinding. The opening moments are atmospheric as hell and a little unnerving.  The vocals are a combo of shouting and spoken words—definitely heightens the mysterious, cult-like atmosphere.  The song roars to life and calms back down, like a fire that leaps to a rage after fresh wood is added before burning itself back down to a smaller amount.   The band steers this song well, taking it's time to let every note, every detail sink in.  This is one of the songs you lay back on with a pair of headphones and let it consume you.  The halfway point all the way to end has to be my favorite passage on the whole album.  From extreme vocals, clean instrumental, deep bass, atmospheric drumming and guitars that are emotional rise action, these final moments include everything I could want in a final song.

Soothsayer’s “The Unbinding,” is how a band does a sophomore album correctly:  keep their basic sound intact while also taking a new direction that sets them up for the future.  

Rating: Excellent