The Obsessed – Gilded Sorrow
The Obsessed – Gilded Sorrow
Ripple Music
Release Date: 16/02/2024
Running Time: 36:44
Review by Chris Galea
8.5/10
From all the Doom Metal bands and projects with which Wino has left his mark, he is probably best associated with The Obsessed, one of the bands that helped define this genre.
Out of that context of authenticity comes “Gilded Sorrow”, only the band’s 5th album since its formation in the early 1980s. ‘Daughter of an Echo’ opens the album with an echoing guitar effect….suitably enough…which then bursts forth with a crushing riff. In fact “Gilded Sorrow” contains an arsenal of strong riffs, all tied together by great melodies and tasty guitar licks. The recruitment of 2nd guitarist Jason Taylor seems to have made a positive difference to the band’s sound.
‘Stoned Back to the Bomb Age’ is another place where to find epic riffs – it vaguely reminded me of Black Sabbath’s ‘Zero The Hero’….which of course is a very good thing.
‘Yen Sleep’ sounds musically lost at times but perhaps that was intentional. ‘Realize a Dream’ has some Gothic undertones but the song doesn’t veer off the Doomy path. The title-track leans more on atmosphere with slightly longer instrumental interludes. Lyrically, “Gilded Sorrow” reflects frustrations at contemporary society’s ills….so the songs’ themes have thoughts to chew on too.
I loved the album’s warm sound and I also appreciated the fact that each song in “Gilded Sorrow” has its own characteristics. Wino’s voice is not the most technically proficient and yet it feels right with this music. And it also helps that this line-up seems to have a good musical chemistry going.
All in all, this is an excellent album and an asset to the Doom genre.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Daughter of an Echo
02. It’s Not OK
03. Realize a Dream
04. Gilded Sorrow
05. Stoned Back to the Bomb Age
06. Wellspring/Dark Sunshine
07. Jailine
08. Yen Sleep
09. Lucky Free Nice Machine
LINE-UP:
Scott ‘Wino’ Weinrich – lead guitar, lead vocals
Jason Taylor – rhythm guitar
Chris Angleberger – bass
Brian Costantino – drums, backing vocals
LINKS:
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