My Dying Bride - The Light At The End Of The World (1999)

Track Listing:

1. Into the Lake of Ghosts
2. Edenbeast
3. The Night He Died
4. The Light at the End of the World
5. The Fever Sea
6. Into the Lake of Ghosts
7. The Isis Script
8. Christliar
9. Sear Me III

Lineup:

• Aaron Stainthorpe
• Andy Craighan
• Calvin Robertshaw
• Ade Jackson
• Shaun Steels

one of the greatest bands to ever come out of britain, MDB were the founders along with compatriots ANATHEMA and PARADISE LOST of 'doom death' metal. the earlier albums were pure old school death metal, but these 3 bands later took their music in a different direction which we all are greatfful for.
as the name suggests, 'doom death', the music is painfully slow & filled with eternal sadness. the 'death' comes in the form of either the growly vocals death metal style which keep popping up in odd places in the album & also too many references of dying. hence 'doom death'

Aaron Stainthorpe's voice can convince anyone that he is really in pain, while the guitar work of founding member Andy Craighan is just addictive. all the songs except for 'The Fever Sea' clock well over 6 minutes.
the music is very slow, at times mid paced, with haunting melodies that just refuse to go long after you have finished listening to the songs, & the general ambience is very very dark throughout.

'Edenbeast', 'Into the Lake of Ghosts', 'Into the Lake of Ghosts', 'The Night He Died' are all brilliant compositions which take the listener to a world filled with ghosts, visions & even nightmares.

even though the music here is not head banging material, it cannot be sidelined in anyway. if you are one of those people who likes to live in cold places, wear long over coats & sip wine by the fire place while sitting on your rocking chair, then this is the perfect music for you.

my rating
9/10

review by Pritham 'Metal farmer' D'Souza