I’m surprised this project didn’t get more attention earlier this autumn. It is a project formed from the ashes of Cruish-Nir, which was Romanian lyricist/conceptualist Valentin Untaru and multi-instrumentalist Robert Cotoros. However, after the passing of Cotoros in 2020, Untaru resurrected the project but gathered some well-known musicians to bring his lyrics and concepts to life.

In the case of Echoes of Yore, we have some pretty big hitters from the gothic/doom realm with Mike Lamb of Sojourner writing the songs and playing all instruments, former Draconian singer Heike Langhans, and none other than Aaron Stainthorpe of My Dying Bride. The latter two provide magnificent beauty and the beast vocals over some top-notch gothic doom metal that culls heavily from both vocalist’s former and current bands.

I mean look at the song titles like “Her Lips Were Poetry and Doom” (which starts the album with Stainthorpe’s unmistakeable, dark, sultry spoken words), “She Was But an Echo of Yore”, “Through Memories, I Gave Her Life” or “If the Tears Are Forgotten”. It’s pure 90s Peaveville Gothic doom through and through, as Lamb channels a heavy My Dying Bride (mainly guitarist Andrew Craighan as well as Stainthorpe) vibe through morose, lumbering layered riffs with Stainthorpe growling and crooning his way through most of the tracks and Langhans adding some lovely female vocals as she did on two Draconian albums.

That is probably all the sell you need, certainly if you are a fan of either vocalist’s work. The 7 songs and 42 minutes are somber, but beautiful dirges with dual vocals that carry some gravitas throughout with Lamb providing somber strings/organs/piano, and knee-wilting, layered harmonies dripping with despondency, that should satiate you until the next My Dying Bride or Draconian albums.

In particular “Faith of Thy Beloved”, “She Was But an Echo of Yore” and “Through Memories, I Gave Her Life” stand out on a fine album, another solid release from Tragedy Productions.

[Visit the band's website]

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