The Fifth Alliance – The Depth of the Darkness (Review)

This is the third album from The Fifth Alliance, a doom/post-metal/sludge band from the Netherlands.

2015’s Death Poems impressed, but the band’s new album seems set to do even more than this.

Blackened and compelling, The Depth of the Darkness is aptly named, forging a path to the heart of the deeps in search of musical apotheosis. Their search doesn’t seem to have been in vain, either. Blending doom, post-metal, and sludge into a blackened concoction of an individual nature, the band’s third album finds them refining and building upon their previous material to produce a highly engaging piece of work.

Textured and multifaceted, the songs journey through multiple musical territories, with the primary aim of captivating the listener and drawing them into the band’s world. The music is atmospheric and emotive, weaving involving soundscapes from various musical influences, and pulling them all together with the skill of a master artisan.

Sometimes soft and enticing, sometimes harsh and destructive, the music spans the gamut from melodic beauty to abrasive brutality. The vocals do the same, ranging from ethereal clean singing to scathing screams. The singer’s voice has only improved over time it seems, and her performance on this album is very satisfying and enjoyable. This can also be said of the songs as a whole; The Fifth Alliance have produced a worthy follow up to Death Poems, one which I think I actually prefer.

The Fifth Alliance have crafted a richly blackened doomscape of post-metal/sludge sounds for us to enjoy on The Depth of the Darkness, and it’s definitely worth taking the time to get to know.

Very highly recommended.