5 June 2024
Name the band who write songs longer than 10 minutes, repeats the same riff for 2-3 minutes in some of these songs, but applies this potentially boring recipe in a way that does not bore the listener? Answer: My Dying Bride.
Yes, My Dying Bride, whose name mentioned together with bands such as Paradise Lost and Anathema, are one of the main sources of inspiration for many bands around the world who make this kind of melancholic doom metal. However, all of these bands have made serious changes in their music from time to time. The situation Anathema has reached is obvious. They are now at a completely different point. After various attempts, Paradise Lost reached a point closer to where they started, by maturing and evolving their style. Therefore, My Dying Bride for now turn out to be the most conservative and traditional of these bands.
Although they too have atttempted different experiments in their music (Evinta etc.), they are currently very close to the early days of their career. Well, there are more distinctive sounding songs in the album. Especially the second song, Thornwyck Hymn, and the fourth song, Unthroned Creed. As a huge fan of classic albums such as As the Flower Withers and Turn Loose the Swans, while listening to the album, I can hear parts reminiscent of these two masterpieces. And to me, this is the most enjoyable My Dying Bride album of the last 20 years.
If they had asked me before the album was released what it would be like if MDB made a very good album, the music I would describe/demand in today’s conditions would be almost something like this. Years of experience, songwriting, a wonderful feeling of melancholy enhanced by contribution of the violin, and Aaron’s wonderful vocals that defy the spirit of the time and break away from the past. Once again, they show off their great talent and manage to make fans listen to even 11-minute-long The Apocalyptist without boring them.
It is interesting that right after the album’s release, the band announced on social media that they had various disagreements and that they would largely cancel the announced tours until they resolved them. It is obvious that such disputes don’t emerge in two or three days. So, it can be assumed that there were certain disagreements while the band was writing the album. In such a situation, the band managed to create a great album like this. It makes me wonder what kind of a performance they would put out if they were in a bed of roses instead.
A Mortal Binding is a very good album that gives a MDB fan everything he/she would ask for. It’s hard to choose a favorite song. Entire album is top notch. I hope they resolve their problems and we continue to witness the journey of these wonderful gentlemen.
9,5/10
