Our Blessed Conqueror

Wild Rags Records from Montebello, California was surely one of most interesting and enduring underground record labels during the late 80's and into the mid 90's. Releasing music ranging from thrash, death and black metal, to grindcore and even some punk and noise bullshit, the label was key in introducing the likes of, Nuclear Death, Impetigo, Necrophobic, Sadistic Intent, Sigh, Blasphemy, and even Norwegian legends, Emperor. They also had a list of lesser known bands that, well, just didn't make it, but not for any lack of talent, but just because that's the way things go sometimes.

One such band was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based, Symphony of Grief, whom originally formed in '92 under the Cerberus name, before obviously settling on a better name, and then releasing two demos and two EP's, the second of which, Our Blessed Conqueror, through Wild Rags Records, which was also the very last release from the band.

As Toth Amon / Your Fallen Domain pours out of my stereo speakers, I'm almost instantly reminded of Incantation's classic, Onwards to Golgotha, via the ultra low guttural roars, the riff style, the musical shifts between pummeling fast blast beats and slower sludgy doom territories and the sense of brooding darkness underneath it all. However, what sets them apart from being a simple clone is that the slower doomy characteristics prevail over the speedier aspects and with them comes not just that atmospheric gloom, but also a feeling of total distress. This becomes more prevalent by the second song, Wars Of Vengeance, which is almost entirely slow, heavily crushing discomfort, while Cast Upon Flames, brings back the brutality, initially, but dives right back to the grave. Spectral Voice is a creepy horror movie-ish synth composition, which serves as an intro to, Immortal Fluids, that again is total foreboding heaviness.

Considering I found this short EP (still wrapped) for a miniscule $2, I'd say I've found my gem for the moment.

Why Symphony of Grief never released a full-length album and broke up shortly after this release seems to be a mystery, but I can definitely say they were onto something special. In more recent years, the band did reform, releasing a new self-titled EP, but still no albums have followed.

Originally wrote for, Lunar Hypnosis: http://lunarhypnosis.blogspot.com

First, when you press play, you might think : what the hell? I am listening to Incantation “Onwards to Golgotha”? No!! It’s really Symphony of Grief, an obscure american death/doom band of the mid 90’s.
The comparison with Incantation stands the road on many points : guttural vocal, some blast beats, the riffs, the sound in general. However, Symphony of Grief is darker, doomer and a lot more sorrowful. Now you might say to yourself : it’s Disembowelment! The fact is that the music of “Our blessed conqueror” stands between Disembowelment and Incantation.
Above the comparison, you find a absolutely non-original death/doom band who blows your head off. It’s just a marvellous piece of Hell! No female vocal, no keyboard, just a perfect mixture of slow drumming, vocals coming from the abyss and utterly depressing riffs.
There’s not a lot to say about this EP. If you’re a fan of extremely dark death metal or ultra doom you’ll find Symphony of Grief amazing. It’s a must. If you’re not in this kind of music, it will bore you to death. For myself, I could listen to “Our blessed conqueror” all day long and still find it amazing.