UMUR
"The VIIth Coming" is the 7th full-length studio album by UK doom metal act Cathedral. The album was released through Spitfire Records/Dream Catcher Records in October 2002. It´s the successor to "Endtyme" from 2001. An album which marked a change in sound from the last couple of album´s stoner doom metal style, towards a darker, slower, and heavier doom metal sound.
While "The VIIth Coming" isn´t quite as dark and heavy as "Endtyme (2001)", it´s still a very heavy doom metal release, and although Cathedral occasionally move into stoner doom territory and "lighter" moods, the most silly psychadelic shenanigans fortunately seem to have been left behind in the 90s, although the shenanigans had their time and place too, but there is a limit to how many uhs and ahs and other odd psychadelic outbursts one can take. On "The VIIth Coming" the atmosphere shifts between dark and heavy, and slightly lighter but still heavy, and it´s good for the variation of the album, that not all tracks are similar in sound. A track like "Aphrodite's Winter" for example stands out as more melodic and atmospheric.
The quality and memorability of the material are generally relatively high, although "The VIIth Coming" isn´t the most standout release in Cathedral´s discography. The album is well produced and the sound succesfully brings out the organic qualities of the band´s music and performances. Cathedral were always a very organic playing act, and a more sterile polished production would not have suited the material on "The VIIth Coming". The musicianship is generally strong, although lead vocalist Lee Dorrian still hasn´t learned to hit the notes clean. His personality and presence shine through his performance here though, and there is therefore still something oddly charming about his vocal performance. It´s not pretty, but at least it´s distinct sounding and unique. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.