It’s been just a little over a year since Purification unleashed their first album, Destruction Of The Wicked, but their second already comes with some interesting developments. The style on Perfect Doctrine (ODLC PRODUCTIONS, INC.) may be rooted in the same post-Reverend Bizarre Doom Metal, but the Portlandians’ dynamic has dramatically shifted. The recruitment of drummer Count Darragh has led to them growing from a duo to a more conventional trio, allowing Lord Donangato Resurrected to focus on lead guitar alongside William Marshall Purify’s established rhythms and warbling vocals.
While Perfect Doctrine keeps to a lo-fi sound courtesy of a raw production job, the adjusted musicianship gives the songs a more atmospheric bent this time around. The guitars inevitably get the most focus as the extra layers of filters, leads, and fuzz give things a watery feel. The bass still provides a crunchy undercurrent that occasionally getting its chances to shine, and the warped vocal approach muddies things even further. The overall sound isn’t full in the traditional sense and things can feel rather distant at times, but it suits the band’s eccentric demeanor.
The songwriting is also more focused, largely eschewing the last album’s experimental tendencies in favor of pummeling riffs and tripped out psychedelics. This approach makes for less vocally driven catchiness, but the upbeat groove on ‘Opium Blade’ makes for a memorable start while ‘On The Wings Of Pestilence, Darkness Takes Flight’ and ‘All The Glittering Jewels (Part I)’ play up some bluesy grinds. The atmospheric aspects take higher priority during the album’s back half, which leads to some songs running together. I must admit that ‘Throw Away The Cross’ feels somewhat redundant, but ‘Sabbatharian Blood Feud’ leads into a hearty chug and ‘The Theurgy / Lunar Hymn 999’ culminates in one of the sole fast segments.
As much as I prefer the more freely flowing weirdness on Destruction Of The Wicked, Perfect Doctrine does a pretty good job of setting up Purification as a solid working unit. The musicians make the most of the adjusted format, altering their approach without altering their aesthetic. Their Traditional Doom influences are abundant, but their eccentricities should keep them from falling into generic orthodoxy while still appealing to their niche. There may be some kinks to work out on future installments, but Purification is looking to be a unique player in Doom Metal.
7 / 10
CHRIS LATTA