They Grieve are a duo hailing from Ottawa Canada and they contribute to the beautiful musical cesspit that is the Doom/Drone genre. Their previous release, I Made My Sacrifice Accordingly (EP) had all the elements you come to expect from the genre with added post-rock moments, buried beneath the filth.
The band’s new album To Which I Bore Witness clearly showcases how The Grieve have naturally progressed as songwriters and there is a notable difference between the album and their previous EP. Where on their EP the post-rock moments felt jarring when they entered the fray, on To Which I Bore Witness this is not the case. They have better incorporated the post-rock dynamic, it now flows naturally within the context of the album and adds to a greater sense of atmosphere. While I would not wish to assume, to me it seems apparent that They Grieve have been influenced to greater accord during the writing process of this album by the masters of the post-metal genre, Cult Of Luna. As a result of this, They Grieve, have crafted an album that is colossally grand and equally as depressive in scale. Much like the modern classic Mirror Reaper by Bell Witch, To Which I Bore Witness has moments/passages of tranquillity and harmony which offset against the drone and dread. This contrast in the musical experiences only further adds to the sense of oppression and despair. The bands progression as songwriters in their ability to fluently transition from these conflicting states are showcased perfectly in the title track of the album and the track ‘Under The Weight‘.
As with most albums of this musical style, To Which I Bore Witness is dark, depressive, emotional and musically heavy. Upon first listen it can be overwhelming and tough to get through, however, with each repeated listen the album seriously grows. I for one, am very excited to see what They Grieve produces in the future. While They Grieve are not on the same level as the greats of the post-metal genre like Cult Of Luna, Isis and Neurosis, To Which I Bore Witness is a statement of intent and they have the potential to one day join in with the aforementioned bands.
To Which I Bore Witness is released on February 24th via the label Silent Records Distribution.
