Right off the bat, I have to declare myself as a little biased when it comes to this review, as I’m a huge fan of vocalist Robert Lowe. Not only was he the lead singer of one of the most criminally under rated doom metal bands of all time, Solitude Aeturnus, but he also had a superb stint as lead singer of the legendary outfit Candlemass. When, therefore, this platter appeared in the “to review” selection, I was grabbing at it like a hungry dog on dropped chips. Joining him are guitarist and bassist Matt Johnson (ex-Signs of Reign), and drum work by current Among the Serpents skins-basher, Brad Miller.

Wow, what a break-neck paced grindcore album this is!

Only joking. It is, of course, doom metal of the very highest calibre. As you might expect with anything connected to the legendary Mr Lowe, this is top-tier, slow and melancholy metal with a huge bottom-end and a gravity so dense that it’s a little like listening to a sonic black hole. What may surprise you though that this has a grit and a dirt that’s somewhat atypical of his work. There are growls and a ragged edge that nudges the music here a little closer to the sludgier end of the market, rather than the polished epic work that you might have reasonably expected. Second track, “Wintersick”, for example, comes on like the bastard son of Solitude Aeturnus and High on Fire, being equal parts effortless, sprawling riffage and then giving way to a hoarse, gravel-throated martial rampage.

Elsewhere on the record, there are moments of unabashed metal joy. “Our Poisonous Ways” plows a similar furrow to the mid-paced gallop and joy of melody that acts like Grand Magus enjoy these days. The trotting bass work and nifty drumming accompany a chorus that has more hooks than the Hellraiser box set. More traditional doomage can be found on “When Sanity Eludes Me”, a bell-tolling dirge of those trademark Mr Lowe vocal flourishes.”10 Days (of Disbelief)” is a completely grief drenched number, being almost devoid of any hope at all, and drags the riffs along like barbed wire across concrete.

In terms of production, this is a really well created piece of work. There is a perfect mix between the clarity of the sound needed to allow the vocals to be heard clearly, but there is also enough rough edges to the guitar work in particular to have enough sharp elbows to remind you that this is a metal album worth listening to. When those riffs kick in, as with the mid section of closer “Scorned Heart”, and the solo kicks in, there’s almost a perfect mix of sludge/doom with triumphant hard rock like classic Rainbow. As a bonus, those people ordering the CD edition will get the whole first album, “From Dissension to Avowal” for free, which represents almost obscene value for money.

A new(ish) Doom metal band joins the A-tier. Great work.

(8.5/10 Chris Davison)

https://www.facebook.com/GriefCollector

https://griefcollectorpetrichor.bandcamp.com/album/en-delirium