Unverkalt – A Lump of Death: A Chaos of Dead Lovers (Review)

This is the second album from Greek post-metal band Unverkalt.

How to get my attention: start a promo email by stating something is for fans of Cult of Luna & Julie Christmas and Made out of Babies. The downside of this though is that the music then has a lot to live up to. So, across the 47 minutes of material on A Lump of Death: A Chaos of Dead Lovers, do Unverkalt impress, or disappoint?

I confess it doesn’t start well, as there’s an intro that musically is fine, but has far too much spoken word and similar noises for my liking. Once you get past this rather superfluous track though, you’re met with first song proper – Mass Hysteria – which would have served as a far better opening track. The comparisons to the aforementioned bands are immediate and obvious, but Unverkalt reveal themselves to have their own personality, influenced by these greats, but not subsumed by them.

The short version of what A Lump of Death: A Chaos of Dead Lovers sounds like is that Unverkalt play a form of post-metal that’s layered with avant-garde trappings and lashings of doom. If you’re familiar with the Cult and Luna & Julie Christmas classic Mariner then this serves well as an introduction to A Lump of Death: A Chaos of Dead Lovers, but Unverkalt develop their own themes and feelings around this template. Other musical influences and elements can also be heard in Unverkalt’s songs too; some of the work of Deftones and Radiohead, for example. Additional reference points might also be acts such as Splendidula and King Woman, at least in part.

The music is expansive and cinematic. It spreads its textured wings across its running time, providing a deeply emotive journey for the listener to become absorbed in. Despite some initial strengths, it’s very much an album to explore and get to know over time. Its rich atmosphere and emotive depth draws you in and pulls you close. The music crafts engaging soundscapes to enthral, and the vocals captivate with their feeling-rich delivery.

Despite a rather disappointing intro, Unverkalt have impressed more than they haven’t. A Lump of Death: A Chaos of Dead Lovers is an album of doomy beauty, of gorgeous sounds performed in service to dark themes and ideas. Sucker as I am for anything Cult of Luna and Julie Christmas-related, this album still stands on its own merits.

Very highly recommended.