Album Review: Dismalimerence – Tome: 1 (Transcending Records)

Evoking the cold fury of emotive black metal powerhouses like Woods of Desolation and the warmer approach of artists such as Panopticon is Chicago’s own Dismalimerence. A blistering yet beautiful Black Metal outfit whose origins date back to the year 2011 and a dark time in the life of frontman and guitar player Elijah Cirricione. The band’s eight track debut full length Tome: 1 puts Dismalimerence in place to be a group to be acknowledged in the US Black Metal scene.

Elijah began to craft the album that would become the group’s debut full length, Tome: 1, when going through what can only be described as an emotionally crushing period of his life time. Although the band took the backseat for a few years, in 2018 Dismalimerence took shape and finished Tome: 1 through the addition of guitar player Matt Mifflin, bassist Craig Hamburger, and drummer Joey Casillas. The quartet have gained a considerable following in the metal scene of their home city of Chicago, playing a multitude of shows with bands such as SepticFlesh, Ensiferum, and Saor. The debut full length Tome: 1 will be released via Transcending Records on June 26th, 2020.

Expansive and thought-provoking, Dismalimerence take us on a journey here. A journey of cold and unforgiving black metal with deeply moving depths and surprisingly varied highs. It’s a glorious showcase of layered atmospheric darkness.

The opening epic of Crimson Glow goes some distance to convince any and all that what we have here is something truly special. At over 12 minutes long, it does a stellar job of showcasing ferocious heaviness in an unmistakable black metal way alongside touching melodies, thoughtful passages and unforgiving intensity. It runs entire gambit and there won’t be many who don’t at least feel some small pull.

Hilariously, Dismalimerence are only getting started but at least the following two tracks, Sequestered Heart and My Only Love are much shorter affairs. However, neither are lacking in imaginative and interesting elements. The former with a lengthy melancholic passage and the latter having some impressive unrestrained heaviness to it.

Continuing to impress and challenge in equal amounts, Orchid’s Reverie takes a subtle approach to begin with. Post-rhythm that simply and effectively flows into a faster and more aggressive stance and back again. As fascinating as the following short burst of noise that is Pragma.

Negligence of the Forgotten is a personal favourite though. The upbeat guitar rhythm, the scathing black metal vocals, the thumping drum beat and soft, morose melodies. It all comes together for an exceptional effort. Although it’s not like there’s any one track on Tome: 1 that is found lacking. It’s truly an outstanding album and if you still need confirmation of that, Vale Amor and Destined for Solitude will surely be enough.

Dismalimerence – Tome: 1 Full Track Listing:

1. Crimson Glow
2. Sequestered Heart
3. My Only Love
4. Orchid’s Reverie
5. Pragma
6. Negligence of the Forgotten
7. Vale Amor
8. Destined for Solitude

Links

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