Godthrymm – Distortions (Review)

This is the second album from Godthrymm, a doom metal band from the UK.

2020’s Reflections was a high quality slab of old-school doom, so it’s with great pleasure that I welcome Distortions into my life. Across 60 minutes Godthrymm once again demonstrate why they’re head and shoulders above most contemporary doom metal acts.

Distortions takes the strengths of Reflections and forges them anew. The core of Godthrymm’s 90s-influenced doom has been expanded upon, and Distortions features a range of advancements. As examples, there are some longer compositions, a guest slot from the singer of My Dying Bride, a new keyboardist, (who also provides vocals with her exquisite voice), and a general focus on songs that are more layered and intricate.

Distortions brings together moments of crushing heaviness, ethereal beauty, melancholic darkness, and epic majesty. As well as boasting some mammoth riffs and oceans of emotive, misery-drenched melodies, these new songs have plenty of texture and shading to offer the discerning listener.

The songwriting is detailed and well-crafted, and each of the seven songs is well-realised and executed. The atmospheres are deeper, benefiting from the increased attention to the keyboards, while the rich melodies recall prime UK doom metal royalty. As with the debut album, Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride are the main obvious comparators, although Distortions finds Godthrymm fleshing out their own personality more fully.

Distortions is an album with a lot going on, certainly more than is easy to unpack in a single listen. Instead, it requires – demands – you pay attention to it, that you spend some quality time visiting its gloomy world. If you do, you’ll uncover great delights, hidden treasures, and compelling sights. Above all, you’ll discover a very strong album that’s a remarkably satisfying listen.

Very highly recommended for all fans of dark, epic doom metal.