What makes The Manuscript by My Dying Bride notable?

'The Manuscript' received positive reviews from critics, reaffirming My Dying Bride's influence within the doom metal scene. The EP's release revitalized interest in their music, leading to a resurgence in their fanbase and solidifying their status as pioneers of atmospheric metal. By the time 'The Manuscript' was released in 2013, My Dying Bride had established themselves as stalwarts of the death-doom genre, following their 2006 album 'A Line of Deathless Kings.' This EP marked a return to form after a brief hiatus, showcasing the band's signature sound while exploring new lyrical depths.

How many songs are on The Manuscript?

The Manuscript has 4 tracks, running approximately 27 minutes.

The Manuscript

My Dying Bride · 2013

27 min · 4 tracks · doom metal

A haunting blend of crushing riffs and melancholic melodies, steeped in the weight of despair and introspection.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Manuscript — The title track encapsulates the EP's essence with its slow, brooding pace and poignant lyrics that explore themes of loss and longing.
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A Pale Shroud of Longing — This track stands out for its intricate guitar work and emotional depth, illustrating the band's ability to marry heaviness with haunting beauty.
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Vår gud över er — With its sweeping arrangements and dramatic vocal delivery, this song showcases My Dying Bride's unique blend of darkness and melody, enhancing the EP's overall atmosphere.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases strong songwriting and production, balancing heaviness with melody while maintaining a cohesive flow.

What we noticed

The first track features a slow build with layered guitar harmonies that create a dense atmosphere before the vocals enter.
Each song typically alternates between heavy, distorted riffs and softer, melodic passages, emphasizing contrasts in dynamics.
The EP concludes with a gradual fade-out on the last track, leaving a lingering sense of melancholy.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 The Manuscript 6:23
2 Vår gud över er 8:50
3 A Pale Shroud of Longing 7:48
4 Only Tears to Replace Her With 4:20

What to play next

Listen next

Feel the Misery

2015

Go back to

A Map of All Our Failures

2012

Full My Dying Bride discography Where to start with My Dying Bride Artists like My Dying Bride

death-doom doom metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata