Towards the Sinister cover

Towards the Sinister

My Dying Bride · 1990

24 min · 4 tracks · doom metal

A haunting blend of melancholic melodies and oppressive rhythms that encapsulates the essence of early death-doom metal.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Symphonaire infernus et spera empyrium — This opening track combines orchestral elements with heavy riffs, setting an atmospheric tone that showcases the band's early experimentation with dynamic contrasts.
  • →
    Vast Choirs — The track features layered vocals and a slow, deliberate tempo, exemplifying My Dying Bride's signature blend of despair and beauty while exploring themes of loss.
  • →
    The Grief of Age — With its introspective lyrics and somber instrumentation, this song captures the emotional depth of the EP, portraying a profound sense of sorrow and reflection.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The EP effectively establishes a dark atmosphere with its blend of melody and heaviness, marking an important step in death-doom.

What we noticed

  • The first track features a slow build with layered guitars and orchestral elements, setting a dark tone that persists throughout.
  • Each song incorporates lengthy instrumental passages, allowing the melancholic melodies to develop gradually.
  • Vocals alternate between deep growls and clean singing, creating a contrast that enhances the emotional weight of the music.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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 Symphonaire infernus et spera empyrium 8:40
  • 2 Vast Choirs 7:30
  • 3 The Grief of Age 4:27
  • 4 Catching Feathers 3:42

What to play next

As the Flower Withers
Listen next

As the Flower Withers

1992
The Voice of the Wretched
Go back to

The Voice of the Wretched
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