CATHEDRAL
The Last Spire
(Rise Above Records)
59:25min

England’s Doom Rock / Metal flagship CATHEDRAL called out "The Last Spire" to be their final studio album after 23 years of dooming and glooming. Unfortunately with the fading of this headstrong four piece, we will lose one of the last few self-contained and unique bands from this genre. Fortunately on "The Last Spire" mighty CATHEDRAL saying farewell to their following at the highest stage. Compared to their last release "The Guessing Game", "The Last Spire" isn’t that much playful. But much more straight and almost linearly. Perhaps a bit more back to their earlier roots? It’s up to you to decide! The sound is full, heavy and in your face. Not that much muddy. But far away from being too clean and polished. There’s still enough dirt and roughness to it. No doubt, "The Last Spire" is a massive piece of mash for your ears, heart and soul. Everything’s more than just alright here. Pretty sure another soon to be classic CATHEDRAL album is revolving here. For nitpickers probably the missing of bass player Leo Smee is the only low point. But there’s a helluva replacement playing deep and raspy tones on "The Last Spire". Notably Mr. Scott Carlson of mighty REPULSION is performing his very best British Lemmy Kilmister bass sound. Can things are getting better now? Of course they can. Because CATHEDRAL have another ass in their sleeve. On the song ‘Cathedral Of The Damnd’ you can hear AUTOPSY’s Christ Reifert on guest vocals. Very old school indeed. As always, now it’s up to you to decide, if this supercool release is worth to buy on CD or vinyl. I really guess it is. So please don’t just rip it illegally somewhere. Hopefully CATHEDRAL will get a final huge piece of attention for this last one. Because they deserve it a lot in my personal insignificant opinion. Good bye Englishmen. It was a pleasure travelling with you. Cheers. www.cathedralcoven.com, www.facebook.com/cathedral

Marc Lehmann

Marc Lehmann

Related reviews / interviews:
CATHEDRAL - The Garden Of Unearthly Delights (Laurent Ramadier)
CATHEDRAL - The VIIth Coming (Edouard Vergriete)

Leave a Reply