Loss - Despond (2011)

Genre: Doom Metal
Country: United States

Admittedly, it's been a little while since I listened to a newly released doom album that I truly enjoyed (last was probably Stabat Mater's 2009 LP). It may be my rather precarious relationship with the genre - liking many albums but detesting some - that makes me not feel keen to pounce on a slew of new doom releases, but Loss really delivered with their LP Despond.

Having heard their 2004 demo Life Without Hope... Death Without Reason, I had a good idea of the kind of deep melancholy brought about by their atmospheres (two of the three songs from the demo appear here, re-recorded), but Despond is truly astounding. Really, what can I say? This is simply an awesome, suffocating record. I shouldn't be surprised with the quality of this, though, considering it was released by the always fantastic Profound Lore.

Buy it here or be a cheap motherfucker and download here.