UMUR "Distance | Collapsed" is the debut full-length studio album by Australian doom/death metal act Inverloch. The album was released through Relapse Records in March 2016. Inverloch was formed 2011 under the d.USK monicker but changed band name the same year to Inverloch. Inverloch features Paul Mazziotta (drums) and Matthew Skarajew (guitars) in the lineup, who were also members of the prolific early 90s doom/death metal act diSEMBOWELMENT. diSEMBOWELMENT released the groundbreaking "Transcendence into the Peripheral" album in 1993, but disbanded shortly after. Since the release of the 2012 "Dusk... Subside" EP, there´s been one lineup change as bassist Tony Bryant has been replaced by Chris Jordon.

Stylistically the material on "Distance | Collapsed" continues the heavy doom/death style of the "Dusk... Subside (2012)" EP. We´re of course also treated to the Inverloch/diSEMBOWELMENT speciality, which is occasional blast beat sections. A feature which is quite unusual in doom/death, and especially in funeral doom, which Inverloch can often be labelled. This is predominanly really, really heavy music though, with long sustained chords, and slow doomy rhythms. There´s an almost ritualistic occult atmosphere to the rhythm patterns, and the drumming is generally quite inventive. The vocals vary between low in the mix unintelligible growling vocals and a blackened snarling croak.

The material on the 5 track, 39:26 minutes long album is well written, compositionally unconventional (doesn´t follow a vers/chorus formula), and generally quite intriguing. For the style it´s also relatively varied and "Distance Collapsed (In Rubble)" and "Lucid Delirium", which are some of the more "busy" tracks on the album, are complimented by the more repetitive atmospheric tracks "From the Eventide Pool", "The Empyrean Torment", and "Cataclysm of Lacuna".

The musicianship is generally on a high level, and as mentioned above the drumming is especially adventurous. There are some really intriguing drum moments spread out on the album. Sometimes it´s just an off-beat cymbal crash or a section with double bass drums which work to great effect (so it´s not necessarily technically flashy playing), but it´s obvious that a lot of thought has been put into creating the rhythms on the album. "Distance | Collapsed" is a well produced album too, and upon conclusion it is an album where everything go hand in hand from the high level musicianship and the intriguing songwriting, to the well sounding production, and it´s through and through a high quality release. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Dusk... Subside" is the debut release by Australian doom/death metal act Inverloch. It´s a 3 track, 22:21 minutes long EP released through Relapse Records in April 2012. It´s notable that Inverloch features Paul Mazziotta (drums) and Matthew Skarajew (guitars) in the lineup. Both were members of legendary doom/death metal act diSEMBOWELMENT who released the equally legendary "Transcendence into the Peripheral" album in 1993, but disbanded shortly after.

"Transcendence into the Peripheral" earned it´s legendary status as one of the first albums to feature funeral doom sections, but diSEMBOWELMENT also added death grinding parts and more regular death metal parts to their music. "Dusk... Subside" is pretty much the natural successor to "Transcendence into the Peripheral". Even 19 years down the line, and despite of a name change, these guys still know how to deliver intriguing, well played, varied and crushingly heavy doom/death. While there are certainly slow and doomy parts a plenty on the EP ("The Menin Road" is a fully fledged funeral doom track), Inverloch also include death grinding parts, which make "Dusk... Subside" quite the varied release.

The musicianship is on a high level. The band manage to pull both grinding and ultra doomy parts off in a convincing manner. There is an emphasis on dark and gloomy atmosphere throughout the EP that´s greatly enjoyable. The growling vocals can be a bit monotone, but it´s a slight issue and fans of ultra brutal and unintelligible growling vocals probably won´t mind a bit.

Keeping in mind the high quality and groundbreaking nature of "Transcendence into the Peripheral", it should come as no surprise that "Dusk... Subside" is also a high quality release despite a new name and lineup. Fans of adventurous and atmospheric doom/death metal should definitely spend their hard earned money on this one. You won´t regret it. A 4 - 4.5 star (85%) rating is well deserved. I WANT MORE!!!