Release Date: March 1st 2022. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD
Penance - Tracklisting
1.The Path Worn Down 09:53
2.Judgement 03:03
3.Cruel Death 08:15
Review
Penance is the debut release from Death/Doom dealers In This House Of Mourning that falls into the Extreme Metal category. With the band focusing on the Funeral Doom aspect early on before descending into Death Metal grooves and growls. This isn’t the easiest of music to listen to and I rarely venture into Death Metal nowadays but there is a captivating menace to In This House Of Mourning’s style of Apocalyptic Death/Doom Metal.
The 3 songs on the EP is a varied listen and features some fantastic Progressive Doom and Death Metal aggressive grooves but still having an Extreme edge to everything. The EP can be quite punishing with the vocals and the music is the standout aspect of this release especially on the two epic songs The Path Worn Down and Cruel Death.
The production is intense and raw with the band taking a very sullen and dark view of the world amongst the lyrics contained behind the death based chants and growls. Or what I could actually make out what was being sung. The music is what kept my attention and I may have liked this EP even more as an instrumental release. That’s not a complaint at all. If you’re a fan of Death Metal then you’re going to love this. I’m mostly a Doom, Stoner and Sludge guy and rarely hear these brutal styles of vocals. Though the vocals are impressive and quite frighteningly fantastic when the mood calls for it.
Overall, In This House Of Mourning have released an absolute belter of a release if you’re a die-hard Death Metal/Doom Metal fan. If not then you may be in for a nasty surprise with this superb debut release.
Words by Steve Howe
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