When Nothing Remains is a Swedish quartet, formed in 2010. Since then, they have released two albums, three if you count the one I'm reviewing. This third one is a massive epos or melodic doom metal that throws me way back into the nineties. Deep grunts, clean chants, grinding guitars and drums are being enhanced by symphonic elements and even violins. The latter, along with the overall atmosphere, remind me a bit of My Dying Bride.
It really feels like these guys are stuck in the nineties, and that is a compliment. That was the golden era for this kind of atmospheric doom metal. Back then, I spent countless of hours listening to these bands. Doom:VS, Officium Triste, Mourning Beloveth, and Shape of Despair often come to mind but it still feels like When Nothing Remains found their own niche, their own sound. It sounds familiar but not too done-before-ish.
Most of the songs are epic gothdoom anthems, highlighting in title track 'In Memoriam', 'Ghost Story' and 'While She Sleeps'. I also dig the gentle approach in 'The Soil In My Hands'. The female vocals add a lot to this song, perhaps some Lacuna Coil-like friendliness. The gloomy outro is pretty damn awesome too. Oh well, let's just say I like this whole album. If you're a fan of atmospheric doom, you should buy this, but you should already know that by now.
Serge