To the dedicated music fan, nothing excites them more than hearing about a new project created by current or former members of their favorite bands. Sparking a sense of curiosity, you are left to wonder – what will these players bring now, will it be similar to prior bands, or something entirely different? Really a large inspiration that keeps us seeking out new music, one interesting band to add to this category is Godthrymm.
Put together back in 2017, Godthrymm is the creation of Vocalist/Guitarist Hamish Glencross (formerly of My Dying Bride from 1999 to 2014) and Drummer Shaun Taylor-Steels (formerly of My Dying Bride from 1999-2006, but with Anathema for 1998’s Alternative 4). Together, they have led a new ship with Godthrymn; first putting out an EP in 2018, followed by the highly regarded full-length debut Reflections in 2020. Looking back, Reflections lived up to everything Doom Metal lovers could ever ask for; it was dark and filled with an ever-thick moody atmosphere. However, Godthrymm has grown since then, and 2023’s Distortions is the result.
Featuring a lineup that includes both Glencross and Taylor-Steels, rejoining is Bassist Bob “Sasquatch” Crolla, but also Vocalist/Keyboardist Catherine Glencross. Catherine, the wife of Hamish, did offer some guest spots on prior Godthrymm tracks, but her full swearing into the band adds even more dynamics to the sound. These factors considered, Distortions arrived on August 18th through Profound Lore Records, and dare we say, is a step ahead of their prior work.
Equally as moody, dark, and atmospheric as prior material, what stands out with Distortions is production thanks to Andy Hawkins and additional delicate elements. More haunting than ever before, you are immediately engulfed with the lengthy “As Titans” which moves along in an emotional way that is impossible to deny. This is while shorter songs like “Devils” hook you with guitar work that is a perfect hybrid of groove and melody that match Hamish’s almost Layne Staley of Alice in Chains or Nick Holmes of Paradise Lost-like vocals. And then there are the ever-so Doom Metal staples like “Echoes,” before the more Gothic Metal leaning “Obsess and Regress” where Catherine’s voice takes center stage. Beyond these, you also have more impending doom with “Unseen, Unheard,” but also some huge surprises on “Follow Me” where the band is joined by none other than My Dying Bride’s Aaron Stainthorpe.
Overall, Distortions is the best work from Godthrymm yet. While poignant, it has a clean, crisp sound and structures that somehow uplift you. Furthermore, it cannot be emphasized enough that somehow the atmosphere here seems thicker than ever, and again, this is thanks in part to Catherine’s full-time introduction, the production, as well as some guest vocals from Polly-Jean and Maggie Glencross. In the end, this could be one of the best Doom Metal records of 2023, and that is why Cryptic Rock gives Distortions 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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