A Mortal Binding
My Dying Bride · 2024
54 min · 7 tracks · doom metal
A haunting blend of orchestral melancholy and crushing riffs envelops the listener in a somber, atmospheric journey.
Top tracks — play these first
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Her Dominion — Opening the album, this track sets an immersive tone with its sweeping melodies and heavy instrumentation, establishing the thematic motifs that run throughout.
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Unthroned Creed — This song features complex time signatures and dynamic shifts, showcasing the band’s technical prowess while delivering deeply introspective lyrics that resonate with listeners.
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The Apocalyptist — At over eleven minutes long, this epic track encapsulates the essence of the album with its sprawling arrangements and lyrical exploration of despair and hope.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends orchestral elements with doom metal effectively, showcasing strong compositions and emotional weight.
What we noticed
- The album features lengthy tracks, with most exceeding six minutes, allowing for gradual build-ups and atmospheric shifts.
- Orchestral elements are interspersed throughout the heavy guitar riffs, creating a dynamic contrast between melody and heaviness.
- Several tracks utilize a slow tempo that emphasizes the somber mood, while others introduce faster sections that heighten intensity before returning to slower passages.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- haunting melodies for deep reflection
- gradual build to emotional climax
- atmospheric despair for evening solitude
- patient, immersive listening experience
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek upbeat party anthems
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2024, A Mortal Binding marks My Dying Bride's first album since their 2017 effort, showcasing a return to their death-doom roots. The band has maintained a dedicated following over the years, and this album is seen as a significant step in their ongoing evolution within the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Anathema· Paradise Lost· Swallow the Sun
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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The Apocalyptist
A pivotal moment shifts from introspection to a broader commentary on human suffering and resilience.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Her Dominion 6:13
- 2 Thornwyck Hymn 6:49
- 3 The 2nd of Three Bells 6:54
- 4 Unthroned Creed 7:02
- 5 The Apocalyptist 11:24
- 6 A Starving Heart 7:31
- 7 Crushed Embers 9:03
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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