ALBUM REVIEW: Apostle of Solitude – Until The Darkness Goes


Apostle Of Solitude’s fifth full-length doubles down on the formula last expressed on 2018’s From Gold To Ash, condensing their signature melancholic Doom Metal even further to its most foundational elements. Until The Darkness Goes (Cruz Del Sur Music) is just a little over thirty-six minutes long, making it their shortest album to date, with the six songs herein almost exclusively driven by slow riffs and mournful vocal harmonies.

This approach makes for a more monochrome and less adventurous listen compared to previous efforts, but it also allows for full focus on sheer downtrodden pathos. The band has always had its share of harrowing tracks but it’s hard to remember the last time they were so thoroughly drenched in their misery. The mood is comparable to that of Type O Negative’s World Coming Down, albeit with a much more manageable runtime.

 

‘When The Darkness Comes’ starts the album off with its chunkiest riff set, but that heaviness gradually gives way to a more atmospherically-minded approach on subsequent tracks. ‘The Union’ highlights this shift quite nicely with an especially somber refrain and a brief but fulfilling solo. ‘Apathy In Isolation’ is one of their most harrowing songs to date, standing out for its especially striking vocal trade-offs during the chorus and bridge. There is an attempt at reprieve with the three-minute instrumental ‘Beautifully Dark,’ but ‘Relive The Day’ serves as a heart-wrenching close.

 

Overall, Until The Darkness Goes stands at an interesting position in Apostle of Solitude’s trajectory. While it isn’t too different from their last album in terms of style and mood, it features an even stronger concentration on their long-established sadness. This could make for a tricky listen if one isn’t in the right mood for it, but its concise execution makes it a little easier to get a feel for. Perhaps there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but sometimes you just want to wallow in the darkness for a while.

 

Buy the album here: https://apostleofsolitude.bandcamp.com/album/until-the-darkness-goes

8 / 10

CHRIS LATTA