Bongripper – Empty (Review)

This is the eighth album from US doom metal band Bongripper.

Hell yeah, it’s time to bring the MASSIVE DOOM AGAIN! Empty boasts 67 minutes of gargantuan music that simply crushes flat everything within a mile radius of its imposing bulk. If you only get one doom album this year, then this is going to be the one.

I don’t commonly reach for instrumental music, but Bongripper are a huge exception to this, in every sense. They bring THE DOOM in such a compelling, immersive, and effective way that I just can’t resist their siren call. Empty is one of their strongest releases. It’s captivating throughout, and despite being so humongous and heavy it’s ridiculous, has a lot more to offer fans of the style than just heaviness for the sake of it. This is heaviness with a purpose, and what a grand, impressive purpose it is.

Empty is colossal and malevolent, but multifaceted within this. Of course Bongripper have ALL OF THE RIFFS, but they also have melody, atmosphere, feeling, and texture. There’s a greater exploration of light and shade on these new songs, especially on the second half of the album – Forever and parts of the epic Empty. These songs build worlds with their constituent pieces, shaping the environment and warping gravity with their potent presence. Empty holds your attention easily, in an iron grip.

Whether you want DRONEDOOM, DOOMGROOVE, GLACIALDOOM, or just to be force-fed the filthiest of EVILDOOM right down your undeserving cakehole, Bongripper have you covered, (covered in HATEDOOM). Empty also has a large deal of ATMODOOM in its makeup too though, and when all of these strains of BIGDOOM come together as they do here, it becomes ULTIMATEDOOM FOR ALL!

Honestly, this is potent stuff, and you might need a hazmat suit to even get close. Do you like doom? If so, this is essential, it’s that straightforward. Do not miss this.