Vile Creature Reimagine What Doom Metal Can Be on 'Glory, Glory! Apathy Took Helm!'

BY Mark TremblayPublished Jun 17, 2020

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Glory, Glory! Apathy Took Helm! is an album of contrasts. For every dark and morose moment, there is an equally bright and melodic counterpart. Hamilton, ON-based duo Vile Creature have created a diverse and concise record that refreshingly redefines what doom metal can sound like.

The album is thoughtfully sequenced in a manner that draws listeners in with the genre's familiar elements before opening them up to the album's surprises. Each side of the record begins with the type of riff worship that has become synonymous with Vile Creature. Both "Harbinger of Nothing" and "You Who Has Never Slept" exhibit crushing riffs at the highest order.

The album's apex is its final two songs. "Glory! Glory!" and "Apathy Took Helm!" create a slow crescendo that builds, through the angelic-sounding choir, towards a complete cathartic release. The choir's chorus, mixed with Vile Creature's dissonant pummelling, take what Mare had done on "Sun for Miles" and pushes it even further.

Glory, Glory! Apathy Took Helm! is a fantastic doom metal album that exercises restraint and a re-imagination of what doom metal can be. For doom metal with a twist, Glory, Glory! Apathy Took Helm! is one of the finest offerings yet.
(Prosthetic)

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