Album Review // 2021-12-15

In Mourning

The Bleeding Veil

Released: 2021-11-26

---

This band is very new to me. I had a few songs from one of their previous albums in my queue to review, I saw a few of their newest videos, and I was sold on wanting to hear more of them.

In Mourning, the name, is a great name for a band that seems to be using music to work through some of life's weight.

The Bleeding Veil is also a great name for an album. I often use the word veil to describe when I think someone is acting fake or trying to be what they think others want them, or seem to need them, to be. I think it is very common for the true person that is within to not feel comfortable enough to be revealed fully.  Add bleeding to a veil and it tells me there is a lot of pain underneath it. We are often compelled to hide our pain...

Album Art

Simple and doesn't draw my attention too much. I am sure there is a meaning behind it.

Mood

Reminds me of climbing up somewhere to see what you can discover. It feels open and emotional, but also like a discovery in itself. I remember hearing that this album was going to be an incredibly personal album. 

Vocals

At a very superficial level, there are two very different voices here. The one style sounds so painful to the vocal chords. It reminds me of a style I have heard in sludge bands. The other is a very good singing vocal, and includes some deeper-sounding growls and screams. I know it is big praise, but at times (such as in Solitude and Silence) the singing reminds me a lot of Freddie Mercury. And yes, I don't always like when there are two vocalists, but I find in this band they are using the vocals in the right way. Based on what I previously heard from them, this album seems to be playing the two vocals off each other quite a bit more. I also notice that the lowest growl isn't used as much. You know I like a deep growl, but I wasn't feeling any sense of loss here, with all the variety.

Music

The music moves around a lot, which I like. So many different styles being reflected. The progressiveness works because of the other elements. I think that is what draws me in - the dynamics. I feel like there isn't really a ballad or fast song here because there are soft moments and heavier moments moving along together in each song. The guitars always seem to have an atmospheric layer and a catchy layer to them. I quite like it. Yes, I have these songs in my head regularly. I also really appreciate that the vocalists are also guitarists.

Sovereign

It seems like something out of your power is going to happen. You are trying to prepare for it, but how do you prepare for it?

The longest morning carries the night it's finally here
twisted circle of visions 
I close my eyes to torture the black
twisted circle of visions
I pour my blood above the empty throne

What day is this be gone by the night and with the dark insight I give to you

In the darkest hour befall the dawn I close my eyes

At the behest of night

I think this may be talking about some kind of negative influence or temptation that may actually hurt you or take you off your path. You recognize it is there, but it is a fight to avoid it.

Beneath the veil
Wallowing decadence
With solemn power
Spraying like blood on our faces

Cleansing our hearts from their burdens
A sense of desire will lead us astray
Your eye like a mirror
Devoid of untrue colors

Solitude and silence

This song seems to address the loss of a relationship. Now the person is alone but still thinking about it.

Unending drapes a veil between us cannot be unseen
It's getting dim, but I can feel your scent
All that is real is out of reach

You're still by my side about a thousand miles away
I can still see you, but you are out of reach

When the dust has settled I will rise with there again

I lost you I lost you in the stampede, still everything we made
You're still by my side about a thousand miles 
I can still you here, but you are out of reach

Thornwalker

This seems to speak to the idea that no one can be trusted, and maybe that you need to guard yourself.

Tread careful
The shards are sharp and vengeful
The venom has coursed through generations
Lustrous at a glance, in patterns of wrath

Clear the path for the silent choir
Gather now in circles of fire
Pierce the throats of those who sing
Silence will bare your wings

Blood in the furrows

To me this seems to be about a path that you were on, but it is proving to be more damaging than you were hoping.

Standing in line on the limestone shore as the furs sparks are flown upon the hay
Like lonely stars shooting through the night and to our wooden homes were we reside
where we reside

Fading stars in shape of, a narrow to the heart of the night

May your torn bones be thunder, when we gather after the fire
Saw with the blood where you stand, harvesting you where you saw

Lights on the mire

This seems like the truth is going to be out and it will mean a big change. The truth is being compared to mire.

Life and the soul like lots of blood and water and the truth will be spilled in a deadly dance
The uncertainty will evaporate to reveal the crystal like path

The hesitation will flick up the fall
Just for a moment and I will be gone
All that is real is the flicker in time
the dawn is what the earth

Beyond thunder

This seems to be going forward on a new journey, which requires leaving the past behind. 

I gaze upon the sky
the light reminds me it reminds me of you
and as I close my eyes you remain in my sight

We would search for fire in our hearts and we would reach for the stars

For rain will wash away the trail and seal away the fire within the storm but where the stone will meet the ground the end will mark a new beginning

We were the lightnings above in the thundering sky

Playlist Pick

This album has made me a fan!

I have to pick At the behest of night, because it does such a great job of using both vocalists.

The second pick is Beyond thunder, because it is so emotional!