This is the third album from UK doom metallers Godthrymm.
After serving up a good starting point with 2020’s Reflections, followed by 2023’s even stronger Distortions, we are now gifted with Godthrymm’s latest, Projections. With a duration of 46 minutes it’s the band’s shortest, but does it continue their upwards trend regardless?
It resolutely does. It’s a feast of heavy riffs, twisting mournful melodies, nuanced intricate depths, and richly evocative atmospheres. It’s Godthrymm, and they keep delivering.
Projections brings the listener another feast of the classic doom metal sound everyone knows and loves, but with a few new enrichments. Godthrymm continue to offer something new built out of something old. The record simultaneously showcases a band once more expanding their repertoire, while also refining their existing tools to use the best and most potent ones.
In essence, Projections sees Godthrymm providing the listener with a greater layering of different sounds, ideas, and feelings. There is also an increased emphasis on their more aggressive side at key moments. Constructed within their stylistic framework, and amidst the pervading sense of emotive doom darkness that they already do so well, Godthrymm allow themselves the ability to colour outside of the lines. Part of this is them bringing out the best in their heavier, upbeat parts, but fear not, there’s still more than enough despondent doom misery to satisfy. Other parts lean progressive, explore lighter moodscapes, immerse with keyboard enhancements, or make use of guest vocalists, (from English Dogs, ex-My Dying Bride, and Xentrix).
This all means that Projections is a well-rounded record, with a diverse nature that caters to fans of immediate impact as well as those that prefer their music to have longevity and depth. Well-written, with both capable hooks and shrouded substance, Projections kind of has its cake and eats it. It’s a record you can put on in the background and easily enjoy, or you can intently focus on it and explore every last avenue it has to offer. Either way, It’s another firm winner for Godthrymm.
Essential listening for all doomheads.
Wonderbox Metal 