Woods of Ypres - Woods 5: Grey Skies & Electric Light (Earache Records)
Woods of Ypres were a duo from Canada that played what can be described as goth/doom prog metal. This is lamentably their last release as their singer David Gold passed away about a month before this album was released in a car crash (December 2011/ January 2012).
"Woods 5" is their best release, where they were able to further escape the norms of their original Doom Metal roots and progress into refining their own sound. The atmosphere is captivating and there is a clear emerging dark lyricism. The album is heavily influenced by the "greats" of the genre like Katatonia, Paradise Lost and old Anathema while retaining a firm personal style.
The melodies of the songs are addictive, deeply melancholic, reflecting the fragile psyche of Gold. Heavy metal riffing alternates with prog rock catchy choruses and the alternations of "heavy" parts with the more mainstream is done very skilfully, without impacting the quality of the songs.
"Death Is Not An Exit", "Travelling Alone", "Adora Vivos" and "Kiss My Ashes (Goodbye)" are the best moments of the album with lyrics that are balancing (somewhat ironically) between life and death.
An excellent final output from a band that progressed its sound and tried to be creative in an otherwise very stagnant genre.
93/100
Below is the audio track for "Career Suicide (Is not Real Suicide)"
"Woods 5" is their best release, where they were able to further escape the norms of their original Doom Metal roots and progress into refining their own sound. The atmosphere is captivating and there is a clear emerging dark lyricism. The album is heavily influenced by the "greats" of the genre like Katatonia, Paradise Lost and old Anathema while retaining a firm personal style.
The melodies of the songs are addictive, deeply melancholic, reflecting the fragile psyche of Gold. Heavy metal riffing alternates with prog rock catchy choruses and the alternations of "heavy" parts with the more mainstream is done very skilfully, without impacting the quality of the songs.
"Death Is Not An Exit", "Travelling Alone", "Adora Vivos" and "Kiss My Ashes (Goodbye)" are the best moments of the album with lyrics that are balancing (somewhat ironically) between life and death.
An excellent final output from a band that progressed its sound and tried to be creative in an otherwise very stagnant genre.
93/100
Below is the audio track for "Career Suicide (Is not Real Suicide)"
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