Review: Godthrymm ‘Reflections’

Godthrymm‘s A Grand Reclaimation was my first introduction to Hamish Glencross‘ new project and it was great to see him return to his doom roots with that EP. Reflections comes two years later, and is a natural progression from last year’s Dead in the Studio EP. It is out now through Profound Lore, and almost an hour of massive, epic doom awaits you within…

Opener Monsters Lurk Herein has more than a touch of My Dying Bride about it in the stunning, weeping guitar tone. But it lacks the sometimes overwrought sorrowfulness, feeling miserable yet determined in its execution. This is pretty much as traditionally Yorkshire doom as you’ll find in today’s world and it’s still a sight to behold even though the iconic albums of the genre were made 25 years ago.

Among The Exalted has some of the loneliest sounding melodies I’ve ever heard, while the creaking The Sea As My Grave feels like it slipped off the studio desk during recordings of Turn Loose The Swans, and has just been found. I don’t want to keep referring to My Dying Bride, because Godthrymm‘s output is as good as anything they ever did, but there is an undeniable link.

This is pretty much as traditionally Yorkshire doom as you’ll find in today’s world and it’s still a sight to behold even though the iconic albums of the genre were made 25 years ago…

Reflections is decidedly more epic though; the vast The Light Of You is a magnificent vista of doom, especially when the pace kicks up about halfway through. This extra little bit of brutality is a nice little change, but it doesn’t last long enough. The Grand Reclamation returns from their debut, and it sounds even better than the first time I heard it, whilst Cursed Are The Many is one of the more emotionally poignant bits of heavy music I have ever heard.

By the time the gloomy Chasmic Sorrows winds up, Reflections has left you drained and empty. Sure, it was worth every second but there isn’t any more. Possibly the truest heartbreak of all is that this album has to finish. But put it back on. Then everything will be ok again.

Reflections is the first must-hear record of 2020 for me, and it will almost certainly still stand tall at the end of the year when lists must be constructed. A magnificent addition to the great legacy of British doom.

Label: Profound Lore Records
Band Links: Official | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Scribed by: Sandy Williamson