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PILGRIM OF FIRE
An Age Of Penance And Oblivion

Naturmacht Productions (2022)
Rating: 8.5/10

Although this band from Derbyshire in England has been in existence for five years they seem like a new entry to the doom metal charts – not that there is a chart! Even so, this impressive debut full-length is sure to crack the foundations as members Andi Haywood (vocals and bass) and Marc Hoyland (guitar) traipse through a selection of sturdy monoliths that’ll have your foot tapping.

There’s something mystical yet unsettling about British doom metal and after listening to such pleasures I’m often prompted to watch movies such as The Blood On Satan’s Claw, The Wicker Man and Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter. Maybe it’s the rustic charm to the riffage or just the general tone of the vocals, but deep within the folds I sense dread and medieval horror.

‘Rest In Oblivion’ has the chugging menace of an old ghost train emerging from a foggy tunnel, roaring through the hillsides to the drive of its pistons. It’s a simplistic trudge with no real aim except to plod and at times test the patience. Vocally, Haywood has a smooth, ethereal quality which at times borders on the forlorn, and again there’s a simplicity.

The drizzly lumber of ‘The Bargain’ conjures images of thick moorland mists which caress treacherous bogs. It’s classic, traditional doom metal that will naturally pay homage to the weathered gods of yore. Meanwhile, ‘Euphoria’ begins subtly then oozes an enormous riff that heaves to the colossal percussion.

‘Gallows Tree’ is the doom metal equivalent to thumbing through the yellowed pages of an M. R. James ghost story, where again there’s that hefty chugging and the ever-present yet half-hinted folk horror feel. ‘Queen Of Ancient Rites’ and ‘Servant Of Samael’ roll like charcoal storm clouds clapping with thunderous aplomb before the despondent rumbles of ‘Ashes Over Water’ cascade like icy shards from black waterfalls. There’s a rainy majesty to such bleak outpourings, yet the duo never bores with its ambling through such murk.

There seems to be a resurgence of traditional doom metal and alongside Parish, Pilgrim Of Fire is the latest cult of witchfinders sure to burn you alive to the soundtrack of misery, loss and archaic horror.

Neil Arnold

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