Album Review: Sepulchre by the Sea – Seven Chambers (Self Released)

Established in 2019 by multi-instrumentalist Ash, Sepulchre by the Sea has grown and evolved from one man’s ambition to create atmospheric black metal inspired by the works of Edgar Allen Poe to an increasingly ambitious studio project. Over the last five years the UK based band has attracted critical acclaim and fans from around the world with its sprawling genre bending works incorporating everything from black metal, doom and hardcore to shoegaze, folk and electronica.

Following a three-year hiatus, and relocating to Cornwall, Sepulchre by the Sea is now set to return with its most ambitious project to date, it’s second full-length release ‘Seven Chambers’, due to be released on the 2nd of August 2024. The album was conceived, written, and mixed as one continuous piece of music spanning forty-five minutes and inspired by Poe’s iconic ‘Masque of the Red Death’ tale. This expansive track was then divided into seven colour coded movements to match the famous chambers that feature in the tale and provide the listener with a unique aural experience worthy of living up to the atmosphere of Poe’s writing.

I have been one of the voices shouting about the quality that Sepulchre by the Sea delivers, so it is incredibly heartening to see them return, and return with such a lavish idea. An important and impressive piece of creative work inspiring another important and impressive piece of creative work. You don’t need to know the Masque of the Red Death story to enjoy this album, but there is no doubt that so much more can be gained by experiencing it with more knowledge of Poe’s masterpiece.

Something that is testament to Sepulchre by the Sea’s talents. Creating something that can be enjoyed in a heavy and atmospheric bubble, but also something that gives the listener so much more to enjoy the further down the rabbit hole they go.

It won’t surprise regular listeners of Sepulchre by the Sea to learn that Seven Chambers covers a wide array of genres. Across the seven epic tracks of this album, you’ll experience black, death, doom, shoegaze, atmospheric metal, and more. Yet, in a twist to the Sepulchre by the Sea formula, there is some experimentation here that enters more drone soundscapes, utilising electronica and ambient elements to fully capture the extravagant horror on show.

From the moment I. Blue Hubris creates a whirlwind of dark melancholy, Seven Chambers takes hold. A grip that gets tighter as the experience expands and the terror is fully unleashed with II. Purple Pestilence. It’s here that the might of the heavy blackened side of Sepulchre by the Sea fully emerges and, like a plague, it proves to be immensely infectious even as it comes with a crushing amount of heaviness. Though, unsurprisingly, being a 9+ minute track means layers and it doesn’t disappoint in the slightest.

A touch of natural ambience allows the soft melody of III. Green Bath to comfort the mind, all in preparation for the explosive epic and heaviness of IV. Orange Opulence. The speed that greets the listener to begin with is intense, but like all of Seven Chambers, this is another piece that transforms over time, dropping away in a deep melodic slumber, before awakening in crashing and smashing style. All while never losing its sense of grandeur.

The hallway point having passed, it’s fair to call this Sepulchre by the Sea’s magnum opus, and that statement is only further confirmed by disturbing drone and emotional atmosphere of V. White Death. Leading to the most impressive track of all, which is certainly saying something when you consider what has already come. It’s VI. Violet Visions and the sound of madness. Beautiful and captivating madness that leaves an indelible mark on the psyche. To the point where you can’t help but experience the glorious gloom of VII. Scarlet Dreams from a shellshocked position.

Stunning. Simply stunning.

Sepulchre by the Sea – Seven Chambers Track Listing:

1. I. Blue Hubris
2. II. Purple Pestilence
3. III. Green Bath
4. IV. Orange Opulence
5. V. White Death
6. VI. Violet Visions
7. VII. Scarlet Dreams

Links

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