EP Review: Sunless – MMXXIII (Self Released)

Hailing from Montreal, Quebec, Sunless is a doom metal project created and performed by Rudy M. MMXXIII is the debut EP from Sunless and will be released on March 20th, 2023.

Deep, dangerous, and dark paths are to be traversed if the listener is to accompany Sunless on this doom-laden journey. Paths that are fraught with pain, suffering, and emotionally charged pits. Drawing from a more classic side of doom, albeit rawer and more personal sounding, MMXXIII is an EP of feeling. Which isn’t always something that can be said about doom in general. The disconnected coldness often freezing the emotions in lethargic fashion.

MMXXIII is cold, sluggish, and filthy all over. However, Sunless’ less refined style adds an extra passionate layer of grime over everything. The misery is heightened, the intensity is prevalent throughout, and it can be as punishing as it can be rewarding. Especially when you take the lyrical content into account. Lyrics that explore themes of love, mental health, loss and the grieving process that follows it.

Featuring five tomes of heavy doom that oozes elements of blackened and death-infused metal, MMXXIII comes in at around 30 minutes long. That’s 30 minutes of darkness that envelops the mind but with rays of melody-led brightness here and there. The fluidity between styles, across all the tracks, is both impressive and challenging. Sunless might be channelling the demons of old doom but it’s not a repossession. This is a new and infinitely more interesting beast altogether.

Sunless – MMXXIII Track Listing:

1. Sunless Machinations
2. Scarlet Crimson Red
3. Desolate
4. A Dirge Like Steps Upon the Briars
5. Sleep, it’s OK

Links

Bandcamp