Search - My Dying Bride :: Turn Loose the Swans (Dig)

Eerie melodic doom metal form beyond the grave

Mr. Self Destruct | A dark hole, somewhere around connecticut | 10/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am not a huge My Dying Bride fan, or atleast to the degree most people would consider. The only album I've had before this one was "Songs of Darkness, Words of Light," and I heard a good deal of the songs off of both "Like Gods of the Sun," and "The Dreadful Hours." I saw this used, so I bought it.



It was not quite as I expected. The opening track "Sear Me mcmxc III" is slow and layered with violins and an organ in the background. I know doom metal is slow, but this is agonizingly slow. Its like being dragged across a bed of nails. Now some may think this is bad. I loved it. Its so heavy, and weighs down on you. It gives you an eerie feel, a feeling I had yet to feel when listening to a metal album, or any album for that matter.



The heavy guitars don't pick up untill about a quarter way through the second track, "Your River." It still remains slow and miserable (in a good way, of course). The stand out quality of My Dying Bride is the ability for the singer to equal his death growls (as in the song "Turn Loose The Swans") and clean, yet frightening vocals. This is taken to almost perfection in Turn Loose the Swans. THere is a perfect balance. I am not a scream metal person. I was never into the whole death metal scene. My Dying Bride, however, has made screaming and growling enjoyable. This is along the same lines of Opeth, another spectacular band of similar nature.



Almost every track on this album stands out. My personal favorites are "Sear Me mcmxc III," "Your River," and "Black God." Although every track is enjoyable, I wouldn't skip a track on it. The three extra tracks are enjoyable. "Le Cerf Malade" is a haunting instrumental track. Although drawn out and repetetive, I did not mind. It added a lot to the album, even if not intended to be on it. "Transcending (Into The Exquisite)" is an interesting track. Its a lot faster than you'd expect from My Dying Bride, and almost sounds to have industrial elements in some areas. MYB is always surprising, I suppose. The final track, "Your Shameful Heaven," is a live track. Unlike most live tracks, its devoid of the common annoyances, mainly an unruley audience, as well as a distortion in sound.



In short, if you are an MYB fan, pick this up, you won't regret it. Even if you are not, and are merely trying to expand your metal tastes (which you should), check this album out."

A Must for any Heavy Metal fan-- esp Doom

Jay Edwards | Berkeley | 07/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are into epic Doom metal-- this is a great CD. I am a Black Sabbath, Judas Priest , Iron Maiden, Scorpions fan-- and I like Trouble, Candlemass and the first Solitude Aeturnus CD. These guys are unique-- they use great powerful Sabbath- like riffs, with mostly clean vocals, great arrangements... very melodic... use of keyboards and the violin. Its classic epic doom at its very best ! The lyrics aren't exactly to my taste, but the emotional impact of the music is what doom is about. Their latest "A Line Of Deathless Kings" is worth getting-- but its not as good as this one from 1993..

I have been following metal since Sabbath in 1970 and I think that every serious doom metal fan-- indeed every heavy metal fan-- should own this CD.

The four additional songs added to the original set are good, and one is a great live version.

One should note that the band develops the songs slowly and they are usually 8-10 minutes in length.

Get it-- you won't be disappointed--"

I am sold on My Dying Bride.

CRAZOTOLOGY | Joplin, MO. (USA) | 11/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My first CD from My Dying Bride was "Songs Of Darkness, Words Of Light", wich was released in 2006. I love, love, love that CD. This CD was made in 1993 and than remastered in 2003, and allthough I am backtracking...err, what am I trying to say here. Ok, this CD rocks..total gloom and doom-gothic metal. Violins, keyboards, horrowing guitars, deep english painted male vocals. Great record! Not quite as good as "Songs of...etc.," but still, really good. There is something addictive about this band...it's really easy to get in the mood for My Dying Bride."