A MAP OF ALL OUR FAILURES

The strongest release since 2006's "A line of deathless kings" marking increased death/doom influences and hardening their sound. "Kneel till doomsday" has a pretty heavy black and death metal kick with not only standard growling but actually spitting. Other songs belong to the most miserable songs MDB ever created in terms of feeling. Bleak, desolation, lack of power and filled with sorrow, this music is best appreciated at dawn, in the dark and in the winter or autumn season.

The first two songs are very strong numbers, the first one showing increasing violin link, strong melody and new moments in MDB sound. "The poorest waltz" indeed is a mournful song but not sure about the 3/4 time signature, it's closer to regular 4/4. "A tapestry scorned" adds nice epic organ to the sound. "Like a perpetual funeral" is one of the most melodic and commercially viable songs on the album, while the title track has a memorable violin motive, but cellos and guitars also fit in nicely for more reflective moments.

"Abandoned as Christ" is one of the doomiest songs by MDB ever. So slow, gloomy with simple yet effective riffs.

Not an essential album but one of the better ones for doom lovers and an average one for proggers.