While Heaven Wept
Fear of Infinity
Rating
Style: Epic Metal
Release date: 22 April, 2011
Playing time: 37:07
 

"Fear Of Infinity” is the first release from WHW containing entirely new material since “Vast Oceans Lachrymose” of 2009. It is the band’s heaviest album to date, giving the music a wider and renewed scope. Indeed I enjoyed the musical aggression of tracks such as ‘Hour of Reprisal’ and ‘Destroyer of Solace’ – particularly the latter. Some may find it surprising to hear the band adopt Black Metal dynamics at certain points within the album.

However it is when WHW craft Epic Doom that the material seems to work best. Tracks such as ‘Saturn and Sacrifice’, ‘To Grieve Forever’ and the particularly excellent ‘Finality’ are gripping in their emotional intensity.

Rain Irving is noteworthy for the soulfulness he injects into the songs with his singing. Once again we see the wisdom of (guitarist and band mentor) Tom Phillips in his decision back around 2008 to relinquish lead vocal duties with WHW. I would have liked to hear Rain utilise his vocal range more fully but the fact is that he’s in a class of his own in this album.

Enhanced by a spot-on production and dressed with a striking artwork, “Fear of Infinity” is bound to raise eyebrows with fans of the band’s early material but it’s a quality release that does the band proud.


Tracklist

01. Hour Of Reprisal (3:46)
02. Destroyer of Solace (2:40)
03. Obsessions Now Effigies (4:37)
04. Unplenitude (3:21)
05. To Grieve Forever (6:12)
06. Saturn and Sacrifice (5:24)
07. Finality (11:07)

Label: Nuclear Blast
Distribution: Warner Music (Denmark)
Reviewed by: Chris Galea
Date: 20 April, 2011
Website: www.whileheavenwept.com