Album Review: Grief Collector – In Times of Woe (Self Released)

The doomy groove monsters that is Grief Collector return with their new and third album, In Times of Woe. Due to be released on May 1st, 2023.

The enjoyment of listening to Grief Collector doesn’t just come from the group’s intense doominess, but also from their inimitable ability to add groove to the miserable make-up. It’s what has delighted listeners up to this point and is what will delight listeners of this new record.

Ten tomes of weighty, epic, and despondent heaviness given renewed life thanks to a bevy of mammoth-sized riffs, thick percussion, and vocals that both soar and growl with intensity. It might be called Times of Woe, but it certainly doesn’t leave you feeling unhappy, there’s just too much quality in Grief Collector’s sound.

With the power of the doom gods thoroughly behind them, Grief Collector lay the choking haze of Tombs of Tomorrow bare. A methodical blast of heavy that also has an exciting uptick and a blazing guitar solo just to make this opener even more special sounding.

With Slipping into Seclusion, their groovy riffs really come to life, and even though it’s a slow-moving track, it’s still a compelling chance to head-bang. Whereas Perpetual has unsettling melody layered throughout, resulting in one of the album’s grandest sounding tracks. Before Ebony Goodbyes lays some mouth-watering thickness on, taking the listener on a monumental journey like no other, and Lamentous captures the soul with its blend of sombre melodies and pounding heavy turns.

Few won’t be feeling quite exhausted by the halfway point, but there’s no question all who have come this far, will continue on. Grief Collector have so much more addictive misery to inject into you. Starting with the groove-laden and deeply morose offering that is Temples to Nowhere, and leading into the Mass Deception’s head-banging vibes. Before Asunder makes a play for being the most delightfully dark sounding track of the album, The Foreboding delivers empathic riffs, and For Who Do We Mourn lays the doom on thickly one last time, but in a much more egregiously heavy way.

Take a deep breath, it’s done. Then hit play again and submerge yourself back into the doomy goodness.

Grief Collector – Times of Woe Track Listing:

1. Tombs of Tomorrow
2. Slipping into Seclusion
3. Perpetual
4. Ebony Goodbyes
5. Lamentous
6. Temples to Nowhere
7. Mass Deception
8. Asunder
9. The Foreboding
10. For Who Do We Mourn

Links

Bandcamp | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram