GRIEF COLLECTOR - En Delirium [ ]

7/10

GRIEF COLLECTOR - En Delirium - 7/10

7/10

Summary

Petrochor
Release date: June 11, 2021

[spoiler title=’Metal Express Radio – Ratings Scale’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]

10.0: Cannot be improved! Perfect, instant classic! Essential in any record collection.
9.5 – 9.9: Fantastic, spectacular and outstanding!
9.0 – 9.4: Amazing release! It just lacks that little extra spice to make it perfect.
8.5 – 8.9: Exceptional release! Will likely rank among top ten albums of the year.
8.0 – 8.4: Great release! It has many different qualities.
7.5 – 7.9: Above average! It is an enjoyable release.
7.0 – 7.4: It is not brilliant, but has many strong points.
6.0 – 6.9: It has its moments, but is not that strong.
5.0 – 5.9: Slightly above average, does not stand out. Good outweighs bad by just a little.
4.0 – 4.9: Just below average, bad outweighs good by just a little.
3.0 – 3.9: Mediocre. There might be a song or a performance that is enjoyable, but that is it.
2.0 – 2.9: Very weak! There might be a light at the end of the tunnel, too many flaws.
1.0 – 1.9: This release gives the word “terrible” new meaning.
0.1 – 0.9: Awful! Avoid at all cost. There is nothing good to say about this release.

[/spoiler]

Sending

User Review

0/10 (0 votes)

The Backstory

Ex-Members of Candlemass, Signs of Reign, and Among The Serpents banded together to form Grief Collector in 2017. The group released their Dissension of Avowal EP in 2019. 2021 sees Grief Collector releasing their first full-length album En Delirium. The CD version of the release features two bonus tracks, plus their debut EP.

The Album

Ominous riffs accent the dark yet melodic vocals of Robert Lowe on the opening track “Corridors”. Robert’s addition of one impactful Death Metal growl makes all the difference in the song. Guitarist Matt Johnson lays down an infectious lick on “Wintersick,” as drummer Brad Miller employs a marching beat. Miller takes full stage in the later part of the track. Grief Collector steps on the gas a little with “Our Poisonous Ways.” Lowe really flexes his vocal capabilities here.

The asylum bells are ringing on “When Sanity Eludes Me.” Lowe delivers a tortured performance, while the rest of the band switches tempos as emotions shift. “10 Days (of Disbelief)” and “Misery Mongers” slow things down to a haunting crawl. Lowe is certainly efficient in delivering true emotion in his delivery, especially on the album’s final track “Scorned Hearth.” Johnson’s solo work is simple yet effective.

The Verdict

With En Delirium, Grief Collector creates a haunting album that Doom Metal fans are sure to eat up. The sludgy, dark music compliments Lowe’s melodic yet sinister tones well. Johnson is not a flashy guitarist, but he doesn’t need to be. He gives the songs just what they need. The future looks bright for such a forbidding band.

Tracklist

Corridors
Winterstick
Our Poisonous Ways
The Letting Go
When Sanity Eludes Me
Knee Deep in the Devils
10 Days (Of Disbelief)
Misery Mongers
Scorned Heart
Then Comes Darkness (CD Bonus)
Voodoo – Die Young (CD Bonus)

Grief Collector is

Robert Lowe – Vocals
Matt Johnson – Guitar, Bass
Brad Miller – Drums