Reviewing acts that are “underground” or on smaller labels can be difficult. I want to give a depiction of the band’s overall talent, but that can also result in scores strangely equal or higher compared to their major label peers. It’s a conundrum, but I have chosen here to rate the band more in line with the former than worrying about how it stacks up compared to more popular doom metal acts. That being said, these guys could easily open for most of those bands.
The sound represents a nice melting pot of influences. The simplistic, crunchy riffs are reminiscent of Godflesh’s “Like Rats” as well as Helmet. Poisoned By Life (great name for a doom act, btw) absolutely nail the morose melody that embodies the genre. The atmosphere is similar to that evoked by groups like Burzum, Opeth, and Triptykon. I was in a good mood when I started listening to this album, but I was instantly sucked into a depression by the first song. The vocals rise and fall like a funeral dirge or grim sermon. Again, think clean singing of Opeth. I thought back to some of the darkest moments in my life while listening to this. Any music that can evoke that level of connection is doing it right. In the words of Nathan Explosion, “We're in a horrible depression... and I gotta admit it: we're starting to like it.”
Returning to the musicianship, the guitar consists mainly of the typical power chords, but includes enough simple little hooks to keep it interesting. At times I found myself thinking more of early Deftones than My Dying Bride, though comparisons to both are warranted. The leads are reverb-heavy and absolutely soul-crushing in their sadness. I love the sections about midway through “Last Breath,” as well as the brief instrumental track. Backing the guitar is your basic 4:4 drumming and a bass that is crunchy as hell. This is music played in a dark basement by candlelight on a Sunday afternoon after a horrible breakup. I could almost picture that as the recording process.
Considering I listened to this album just a few weeks after hearing Celtic Frost’s excellent “Monotheist” for the first time (I know, I’ve been living under a rock), the fact that this holds up is high praise in itself. I never found myself bored or underwhelmed. The level of emotion here is what truly stands out, and it does so without coming off as cheesy or self-important. This isn’t a bunch of whiny goth kids; these are some grown dudes who are expressing real hurt. They aren’t asking for your pity. They just want to share something that everyone can relate to feeling at one time or another.
I think most metal fans can find something to appreciate here. Fans of Type O Negative and My Dying Bride will be right at home. But even if you are like me and not the biggest doom metal listener, fans of BM (Burzum), 90’s alternative metal (Deftones, Helmet), blackened death (Opeth), and industrial metal (Godflesh) can all find something to enjoy with this album.
At the time of writing, the full album was available for stream on their bandcamp page. It was also available to buy with a pay-what-you-want option. I suggest giving it a listen for yourself.