Richard HolmesGodthrymm – Projections (Profound Lore Records)
When the Peaceville Three first strode across Northern England, a gloom descended on the Earth. Their grand, Gothic misery went on to influence acts across the world. The early works of Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride and Anathema are revered from Milan to Michigan.
Godthrymm, however, have not so much felt the influence of those bands, as been completely immersed in it. And that’s not just because they’re based in Halifax, Nick Holmes’ stomping ground.
Founder, vocalist and guitarist Hamish Glencross spent nearly 15 years in My Dying Bride, as well as teaming up with PL guitarist Gregor Mackintosh for his Vallenfyre project. UK epic doomsters Solstice are on his CV too. Drummer Shaun Taylor-Steels also played with MDB and Solstice, as well as contributing to the Anathema classic, Alternative 4.
That’s some serious pedigree.
And they’ve put it to good use, crafting exquisite records in the form of 2020 debut Reflections and 2023’s Distortions (an album we described as “paradise found for doom fans”). From the off, Godthrymm were twisting their Peaceville Three roots into new forms: potent, enthralling songs like Devils were the result.
Now we’ve arrived at Projections, the third instalment of their Visions trilogy… and arguably the most accomplished and diverse of their nine-year career.
According to Glencross, the band’s passion, sorrow, love and fury were channelled into this record.
It shows.
Emotions run high.
And go very low.
There’s a haunting fragility to Jewels, for instance, which is made all the more heartrending by Catherine Glencross’ delicate vocals. “The horizon pulls ever further, the ground gives way to sand, I sink and fall,” she sings, over a sparse soundtrack.
Contrast this with Trenches Deep, where Taylor-Steels propels Hamish and new guitarist Kris McLaughlin into a nuclear fire of deathly d-beat. It’s amongst the band’s most punishing work… and it’s no surprise that English Dogs vocalist Adie Bailey and Xentrix frontman Jay Walsh wanted in on the action too.
On Truth In My Own, Catherine’s ethereal melodies float above scorched earth percussion and depth charge death riffs, in a visceral embodiment of Godthrymm’s power.
And on the mournful, slow-burning Endure My Skin, the Glencrosses are joined by High Parasite and former MDB singer Aaron Stainthorpe, who’s tortured contribution takes this quintet deep into Yorkshire’s haunted underworld, and touches the genius of his embryonic 90s work.
The finale of Projections brings the Visions chapter to a fitting close. “In the darkest times there must be a light” Catherine declares over Hope is Eternal, a defiant hymn laced with metallic grit. You feel they are looking to the future.
And yes, a new era now beckons for Godthrymm.
But before the page is turned, savour what they’ve achieved here. This is a remarkable record… and a towering landmark in UK doom.
Band photo by Frank Ralph.