While Heaven Wept-Vast Oceans Lachrymose (Cruz del Sur)
ByGeorge Pacheco
February 7th, 2010

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Since the early 90s, Virginia doom collective While Heaven Wept have resided in the shadows; a criminally underrated unit which has consistently released quality, emotional doom of the highest order. Whether it be 1998's Sorrow of the Angels or 2003's masterful Of Empires Forlorn, the outfit spearheaded by vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Tom Phillips has always delivered the proverbial 'goods' in spades/

2009's Vast Oceans Lachrymose just might be the band's most ambitious outing yet, however, incorporating a wealth of new ideas into their musical mix, while remaining loyal to their classic, traditional doom sound from first note to last. Deeper progressive leanings and faster tempos signal the most radical changes for this record-showcasing that all does not move in slow-motion for While Heaven Wept, apparently-and this combination ultimately works to the band's credit in spades.

While it could be argued that Vast Oceans Lachrymose stirs a lot of ingredients into their metal pot, the fact that Phillips is such a memorably accomplished axeman reigns in much of the band's line-toeing theatrics, and instead emphasizes his group's old school metal credentials. Need further proof? Check bassist Jim Hunter's jaw-dropping fat string work; rarely does bass playing offer this much depth and counterpoint to an album's proceedings.

All of this, combined with the undeniable emotion set forth by so much of this material, truly lends While Heaven Wept the mantle of "doom metal's best kept secret." Let's hope that-with this record-more folks run to the light (pun intended) and start getting on board with what Phillips and Co. are doing down there in Virginia.

Visit the While Heaven Wept website here.

Butch

The best WHW yet. And the material is excellent live. I think this album is going to stand the test of time as one of the best metal albums committed to little silver disc and wax.