Portland, OR based sludge band Lord Dying return with their new album Poisoned Altars (Relapse Records) due out on January 27th. With the album streaming through various sources, fans and new listeners can get a taste of what’s to come before the official release this week.
The only real problems I have with the record are the vocals. While Erik Olson’s voice remains steady and constant, I have a hard time finding much emotion behind it. The instruments do all of the talking and seem to leave the vocal tracks seem a bit out of place at times.
The music itself is absolutely solid and captures your attention. None of the songs feel overdone or unnecessary. I could easily listen to an instrumental version of this for hours. That said, there are a few tracks that especially stand out to me. ‘An Open Sore’ is a fantastic break up song. You’re not going to be wallowing in pity because it makes you want to get up and move (all of your ex’s stuff to the curb). The song also features Red Fang’s nerdalicious Aaron Beam performing guest vocals.
My favorite track off of Poisoned Altars is a toss up between ‘A Wound Outside of Time’ and ‘Darkness Remains’. ‘A Wound Outside of Time’ is the shortest song on the album and every second of it is filled with excellence. It starts off slowly but quickly gains momentum and keeps the listener engaged. ‘Darkness Remains’ wraps up the album in just under seven minutes of pounding riffs and vocals before ultimately fading out.
This is an album that you really have to spend some time with. You’re not going to get everything in just a few listens. I’m sure there’s much more the remains to be seen and heard in person as well. I’ve never seen Lord Dying live but I’ll definitely have to add them to my list. I anticipate a wicked bangover in my future.
7.5/10
ALEIDA LA LLAVE