Mourning
New Jersey based Black Metal band Mourning recently dropped us a line, letting us know about their two albums, Blinded By Hate, and Mourning The New Dawn, to see what we thought of things. Always looking for new and interesting bands to check out, I was looking forward to seeing what these guys had on offer, especially given their combined wealth of experience. Described as ‘comprising nuclear steam rolling rhythms, bone shattering harmonies, screams of the dying and growls of decaying bodies’, these guys seem to be out to bring about the apocalypse, throwing down with their music and showing that they are a serious force to be reckoned with.
Blinded By Hate:
Opening with Impending Doom we’re immediately thrown into a spoken word section, the ominous vocals telling us that the whole planet must be bathed in blood before the hammering melee of music takes the lead. Rolling drums, punishing bass lines and roaring guitar lines all mix around you as the track gets going, forming into a monster which is impossible to resist, the downright evil beats grabbing your attention and forcing you into the all-out pit of destruction formed by the band. Make no mistake going into this, this is some seriously heavy stuff, the screaming vocals adding a further dimension to things and forming a sound which is going to scare the crap out of anyone who isn’t prepared for what they’re about to hear. Alternating between the screaming vocal and a deeper roar, the track seems to move between all out heavy, and more broken down moments which whilst calmer, still pack one hell of a punch. Entormented Visions of Domination continues this idea onwards and once again launches you headfirst into a pit of destruction, distortion and raw power. The drums are the most striking feature of this track, hammering onwards at a signature black metal beat and forming into something which is once again insanely heavy, yet tinged with an element of melody somehow, it’s a clever mix and one which stands these guys out as a band to make sure you check out.
The Ballad of Joel marks a slight change in the progression of things, this time opting for the more stereotypical death/black metal style and getting things moving from the word go. Heavy yet intricate and full of moments which will make you sit back and simply listen, this is one of my personal favourites from the album simply because it seems to showcase the bands style perfectly. Once again leaning heavily on the vocals to lead the way, the track seems to move through different sections, each one coming on to compliment the one before, leaving no doubt that this is a band that can play, can write, and can deliver. Destroying the Innocence comes as somewhat of a shock initially then when the sound almost seems to ease off, the power giving way to a sense of dark melody to open things, suggesting that this could be a softer moment on the album – but you’d be wrong! Soon picking up the pace and resuming their frantic rampage through metal once again, this track soon assumes the position and demonstrates that the opening moments were merely a means of luring you into a sense of safety before once again smashing you around the head with their distorted sound. Once again there’s a definite level of complexity to the music here, resulting in another track which doesn’t simply work through the movements required, but instead shows what the band can do and allows you along for the ride.
Closing the album with Embrace the Apocalypse there’s one final chance to bear witness to the all out punishment being dished out by Mourning, the final moments offering up a fast and heavy approach to things and closing the album in the manner it began. What’s most striking on this final track, and has been evident throughout, is the lack of production on the tracks – whilst it’s there, it’s not over the top or to a point where the power of the music is lost, instead relying on the band doing their thing to get the sound across to you. It’s this honesty which stands out throughout the record, and is what is going to make this one so appealing to people that check it out.
So onto their more recent release!
Mourning The New Dawn
Opening with title track Mourning The New Dawn there’s a definite shift from the previous stuff, this time opening with war sound effects before throwing down into a melee of hammering guitar lines and urgent vocals – it’s like the previous album yet updated and somehow even heavier. The breakdown which follows is beyond recognition, showing a band that have developed their sound, honed their skills and produced something which takes the approach of black metal to a whole new level. Dark, distorted, powerful and intricate throughout, this track holds all of the hallmarks you would expect from an album like this, yet with the unmistakeable stamp of Mourning on it, once again drawing on their power and skill as a band to craft their own unique sound. Eve Of Annihilation seems to almost lead on from the previous track, launching straight in and once again crafting a sound which is surely going to leave live venues as nothing but dust. Offering up an almost syncopated beat to keep things interesting, this is another track which showcases the ability of the band, refusing to go for a simple yet heavy option and instead forming something far more interesting, more intricate and altogether more powerful. Personally, this track stood out to me as one of the highpoints on the album, there’s just something about the way it’s put together and formed which makes it stand out as something you need to make sure you check out.
Dark Autumn comes next and returns us to the more stereotypical black metal approach, once again showing that the band know where their music comes from and that they’re not afraid to nod to their influences. Somehow managing to incorporate a sense of melody into the track once again, there’s a serene level to this one which somehow fits, somehow combining a sound which shouldn’t work into the track and making it work, resulting in something which is pretty damned mind blowing. Soon ushering out the initial moments to return to the more powerful distorted elements, the progression of this track keeps it interesting from start to finish, showing that the guys have clearly thought about the track and how they can develop it into something different – and in my eyes they’ve done it. Red Rivers Of Babylon marks a definite change on the album, once again returning to the screaming vocals and fast paced drumming which began things. The all out approach of this one stands it out as one which will appeal to fans of the more extreme end of the spectrum, the unrelenting approach of the music pummelling your ears as the track grows and develops around you. Heavy, intricate, powerful, distorted and once again carefully crafted, this is another track which stands out as one to hear on the album, definitely one to look out for.
Human Extinction ushers back in the more stereotypical grind approach to things, the fast paced vocals spitting out over the insane backing music whilst the track seems to continue to grow in malice and venom around you. There’s a marked difference with this track combined to some of the others on the record, once again making this one stand out, but for different reasons. I admire a band that aren’t afraid to develop their sound and evolve as they develop, and that’s what seems to have happened here – it’s a marked change, but a calculated one at the same time. Closing the record with The Grave I Dug For You the band leave on a high, closing with a track that some may consider clichéd initially due to the opening sound effects, but soon dispels all these fears. Slow, distorted and almost doom like in its form, this final track on the album is one of the heaviest on the album, and one which stands out as one of my personal favourites of all of the bands tracks. If you’re looking for a sound which defines this band, this could well be the one for you.
I’m always a little wary when it comes to black/death/doom metal, as all too often the lines between the genres can become blurred and it creates a sound which is somewhere in the middle, yet Mourning seem to have taken the sound and made it their own. Throughout both of these albums there are elements of different genres, but at all times there’s a clear stamp which marks the tracks as belonging to the same unit – something which is going to stand them in good stead moving forwards. I imagine their true power is realised live, something I hope to witness when I get to the states – and something that the world needs to get ready to see!
To find out more about Mourning, check out their ReverbNation page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Blinded By Hate:
Opening with Impending Doom we’re immediately thrown into a spoken word section, the ominous vocals telling us that the whole planet must be bathed in blood before the hammering melee of music takes the lead. Rolling drums, punishing bass lines and roaring guitar lines all mix around you as the track gets going, forming into a monster which is impossible to resist, the downright evil beats grabbing your attention and forcing you into the all-out pit of destruction formed by the band. Make no mistake going into this, this is some seriously heavy stuff, the screaming vocals adding a further dimension to things and forming a sound which is going to scare the crap out of anyone who isn’t prepared for what they’re about to hear. Alternating between the screaming vocal and a deeper roar, the track seems to move between all out heavy, and more broken down moments which whilst calmer, still pack one hell of a punch. Entormented Visions of Domination continues this idea onwards and once again launches you headfirst into a pit of destruction, distortion and raw power. The drums are the most striking feature of this track, hammering onwards at a signature black metal beat and forming into something which is once again insanely heavy, yet tinged with an element of melody somehow, it’s a clever mix and one which stands these guys out as a band to make sure you check out.
The Ballad of Joel marks a slight change in the progression of things, this time opting for the more stereotypical death/black metal style and getting things moving from the word go. Heavy yet intricate and full of moments which will make you sit back and simply listen, this is one of my personal favourites from the album simply because it seems to showcase the bands style perfectly. Once again leaning heavily on the vocals to lead the way, the track seems to move through different sections, each one coming on to compliment the one before, leaving no doubt that this is a band that can play, can write, and can deliver. Destroying the Innocence comes as somewhat of a shock initially then when the sound almost seems to ease off, the power giving way to a sense of dark melody to open things, suggesting that this could be a softer moment on the album – but you’d be wrong! Soon picking up the pace and resuming their frantic rampage through metal once again, this track soon assumes the position and demonstrates that the opening moments were merely a means of luring you into a sense of safety before once again smashing you around the head with their distorted sound. Once again there’s a definite level of complexity to the music here, resulting in another track which doesn’t simply work through the movements required, but instead shows what the band can do and allows you along for the ride.
Closing the album with Embrace the Apocalypse there’s one final chance to bear witness to the all out punishment being dished out by Mourning, the final moments offering up a fast and heavy approach to things and closing the album in the manner it began. What’s most striking on this final track, and has been evident throughout, is the lack of production on the tracks – whilst it’s there, it’s not over the top or to a point where the power of the music is lost, instead relying on the band doing their thing to get the sound across to you. It’s this honesty which stands out throughout the record, and is what is going to make this one so appealing to people that check it out.
So onto their more recent release!
Mourning The New Dawn
Opening with title track Mourning The New Dawn there’s a definite shift from the previous stuff, this time opening with war sound effects before throwing down into a melee of hammering guitar lines and urgent vocals – it’s like the previous album yet updated and somehow even heavier. The breakdown which follows is beyond recognition, showing a band that have developed their sound, honed their skills and produced something which takes the approach of black metal to a whole new level. Dark, distorted, powerful and intricate throughout, this track holds all of the hallmarks you would expect from an album like this, yet with the unmistakeable stamp of Mourning on it, once again drawing on their power and skill as a band to craft their own unique sound. Eve Of Annihilation seems to almost lead on from the previous track, launching straight in and once again crafting a sound which is surely going to leave live venues as nothing but dust. Offering up an almost syncopated beat to keep things interesting, this is another track which showcases the ability of the band, refusing to go for a simple yet heavy option and instead forming something far more interesting, more intricate and altogether more powerful. Personally, this track stood out to me as one of the highpoints on the album, there’s just something about the way it’s put together and formed which makes it stand out as something you need to make sure you check out.
Dark Autumn comes next and returns us to the more stereotypical black metal approach, once again showing that the band know where their music comes from and that they’re not afraid to nod to their influences. Somehow managing to incorporate a sense of melody into the track once again, there’s a serene level to this one which somehow fits, somehow combining a sound which shouldn’t work into the track and making it work, resulting in something which is pretty damned mind blowing. Soon ushering out the initial moments to return to the more powerful distorted elements, the progression of this track keeps it interesting from start to finish, showing that the guys have clearly thought about the track and how they can develop it into something different – and in my eyes they’ve done it. Red Rivers Of Babylon marks a definite change on the album, once again returning to the screaming vocals and fast paced drumming which began things. The all out approach of this one stands it out as one which will appeal to fans of the more extreme end of the spectrum, the unrelenting approach of the music pummelling your ears as the track grows and develops around you. Heavy, intricate, powerful, distorted and once again carefully crafted, this is another track which stands out as one to hear on the album, definitely one to look out for.
Human Extinction ushers back in the more stereotypical grind approach to things, the fast paced vocals spitting out over the insane backing music whilst the track seems to continue to grow in malice and venom around you. There’s a marked difference with this track combined to some of the others on the record, once again making this one stand out, but for different reasons. I admire a band that aren’t afraid to develop their sound and evolve as they develop, and that’s what seems to have happened here – it’s a marked change, but a calculated one at the same time. Closing the record with The Grave I Dug For You the band leave on a high, closing with a track that some may consider clichéd initially due to the opening sound effects, but soon dispels all these fears. Slow, distorted and almost doom like in its form, this final track on the album is one of the heaviest on the album, and one which stands out as one of my personal favourites of all of the bands tracks. If you’re looking for a sound which defines this band, this could well be the one for you.
I’m always a little wary when it comes to black/death/doom metal, as all too often the lines between the genres can become blurred and it creates a sound which is somewhere in the middle, yet Mourning seem to have taken the sound and made it their own. Throughout both of these albums there are elements of different genres, but at all times there’s a clear stamp which marks the tracks as belonging to the same unit – something which is going to stand them in good stead moving forwards. I imagine their true power is realised live, something I hope to witness when I get to the states – and something that the world needs to get ready to see!
To find out more about Mourning, check out their ReverbNation page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls