Sometimes an album comes along from a completely new to you band which on the first song just leaves your jaw gaping wide open at how utterly fantastic they sound. TodoMal, a Spanish doom duo, although expanded to a five piece on this new album Graveyards of Joy, certainly know how to open an album and with ‘Mare Ignis’ literally leave you gasping at the true beauty of it all. Monolithic doom riffs against stunning atmospheric synths, it edges closer to progressive rock at times but still retains that doom edge. It’s an utterly compelling start to the album.
Thankfully this is not just a one off and as they flow into ‘Lucid Nightmare’ they dial in the heaviness, although also seem to bring in a stadium rock edge. There’s a Bono style quality to the vocals which is completely unexpected but brings an Everyman quality to the music. If there is one criticism to make it is that perhaps they lay on the atmospherics a bit think at times, meaning their isn’t much room to breathe, but when it’s this majestic you can forgive those instances.
‘Misericordiah’ introduces acoustic elements which bring the album back down to a more quieter affair. A respite from the storm, it demonstrates the progressive songwriting elements, and as a violin is ushered in, it makes for a rather entrancing moment. This dynamic also serves to make the opening riff of ‘Unholy’ much louder, a track which unfolds into epic levels. ‘Deliverance’ veers towards the gothic, and ends up sounding like The Mission, before ‘Humanised Gods’ throws in some spangly synths as the album moves away from its initial doom leanings into complete stadium rock. Its rather disconcerting but hey ho, whatever floats your boat. It doesn’t quite work and you end up scratching your head as to what type of band TodoMal want to be.
These are small misgivings though and overall it’s an impressive addition to what’s been a good year so far for doom. It may not stick strictly to the genre expectations, but contains enough to satisfy those who like their music very atmospheric. The moments that veer into big music territory don’t quite work, although for those wanting some epic sounding Mission or U2 sounds then jump right in. At least they end the album as they began, with another awe-inspiring moment of crushing doom and that’s all that matters. An interesting approach to the genre which doesn’t quite work but is still more than a satisfying listen.
