Metal Warfare - Irish Metal Forum

Metal Discussion => Metal Discussion => Topic started by: BlackWizard on November 28, 2018, 10:05:26 AM

Title: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: BlackWizard on November 28, 2018, 10:05:26 AM
Just thought we should take a moment to rejoice in the monumental and almost perfect slab of Doom by what I consider to be the finest band to come from our shores.
This really is a epic album and the absolute highlight for me on this is Franks vocals. They are always there on MB album but they really take centre stage on this album.
The closing two tracks of Dead Channel & Nothing has a Centre is just the most enjoyable 30 minutes of music.
I think the addition of Pauric to the band cannot be underestimated and just adds another layer to the songs when harmonizing with Frank.  As always the Darren/Frank combination of contrasting vocals is a joy.
Nothing has come close to this album since its release for me and with this decade coming close to the end I dare say them the "album of the decade" thread come along this will be my winner!
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Black Shepherd Carnage on November 28, 2018, 10:41:19 AM
Quote from: BlackWizard on November 28, 2018, 10:05:26 AM
the finest band to come from our shores.

Have thought the same for years. In my opinion, each and every one of their albums would be deserving of a thread of its own. Good call on Pauric's contribution since joining though, it has fed perfectly into the band's continuing evolution. It wouldn't get my overall album of the decade, but within doom definitely.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: KingBuddha on November 28, 2018, 10:49:53 AM
Theories of Old Bones is my own personal favourite off it, but yes it's a beast of a record all round. Sounds excellent live.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Blizzard Beast on November 28, 2018, 11:22:00 AM
What's the best album ?
Ive only listened to the debut and the last one.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Eoin McLove on November 28, 2018, 11:30:25 AM
The Sullen Sulcus is another masterpiece.  A Murderous Circus has great songs but a sterile production so it takes some getting used to.  A Disease for the Ages is a really great album that ties up their earlier sound.  Formless then was something of a rebirth in a way,  stylistically speaking.  More stripped back musically than that which came before,  maybe closer to AMC in style,  but the beautifully warm production really raises the atmosphere and brings the incredible songs to life.  Dead Channel is one hell of a song.  Rust and Bone is strong for what it is but it should have been an EP. The songs, Rust, and Bone, are a waste of space but the three real songs are strong enough with A Terrible Beauty is Born being an absolute winner.

Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Blizzard Beast on November 28, 2018, 12:30:11 PM
Quote from: Eoin McLove on November 28, 2018, 11:30:25 AM
The Sullen Sulcus is another masterpiece.  A Murderous Circus has great songs but a sterile production so it takes some getting used to.  A Disease for the Ages is a really great album that ties up their earlier sound.  Formless then was something of a rebirth in a way,  stylistically speaking.  More stripped back musically than that which came before,  maybe closer to AMC in style,  but the beautifully warm production really raises the atmosphere and brings the incredible songs to life.  Dead Channel is one hell of a song.  Rust and Bone is strong for what it is but it should have been an EP. The songs, Rust, and Bone, are a waste of space but the three real songs are strong enough with A Terrible Beauty is Born being an absolute winner.
Sound,work tunes sorted for the afternoon then  8)
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Grim Reality on November 28, 2018, 01:59:25 PM
Yep Irelands best and most consistent in my book too. The one I listen to least is the debut. McLove nailed the descriptions there. All albums have something to offer. The last 3 tracks on Formless being the absolute career highlight. The outro part to the first track on Rust, (name escapes me)where the blasting drums kick in, was one of the very few jaw dropping moments of listening to music for me in the last ten years, I couldn't believe what I was hearing and shows they are still relevant and inventive and interesting  20 years in to their career.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Mags on November 28, 2018, 02:43:46 PM
Seeing them play the whole album that time in the Voodoo Lounge was an absolute treat. Amazing album, though it took me a bit longer to appreciate than previous ones. That wind down, build-up then climax section in Ethics on the Precipice is a favourite music moment of mine.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: BlackWizard on November 28, 2018, 10:41:51 PM
Quote from: Eoin McLove on November 28, 2018, 11:30:25 AM
The Sullen Sulcus is another masterpiece.  A Murderous Circus has great songs but a sterile production so it takes some getting used to.  A Disease for the Ages is a really great album that ties up their earlier sound.  Formless then was something of a rebirth in a way,  stylistically speaking.  More stripped back musically than that which came before,  maybe closer to AMC in style,  but the beautifully warm production really raises the atmosphere and brings the incredible songs to life.  Dead Channel is one hell of a song.  Rust and Bone is strong for what it is but it should have been an EP. The songs, Rust, and Bone, are a waste of space but the three real songs are strong enough with A Terrible Beauty is Born being an absolute winner.

100% Sullen is an absolute masterpiece (and was my introductuon to MB 2002) and up until Formless was my go to album to reach for.
Definitely agree about the production on Murderous Circus, probably the album I've listen to least.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: BlackWizard on November 28, 2018, 10:44:02 PM
Quote from: Grim Reality on November 28, 2018, 01:59:25 PM
The outro part to the first track on Rust, (name escapes me)where the blasting drums kick in, was one of the very few jaw dropping moments of listening to music for me in the last ten years, I couldn't believe what I was hearing and shows they are still relevant and inventive and interesting  20 years in to their career.

That would be Godether..... i was the same (I'd say many were) blast beat just not something you associate with MB ;D
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: BlackWizard on November 29, 2018, 12:19:42 AM
Talking about drums, Tim's drumming on the last 4/5 minutes of Nothing has a Centre is particularly special. Some of the fills belong in the "awsome moment in song" thread that used to be in MI. In particular the fill just after Darren sings the line 'Roots grow upwards with amcient stone'
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Don Gately on November 29, 2018, 12:56:24 PM
Album of the 2010s for me. Listened it to 3 years solid and looking forward to giving it a spin again. Not mad about the debut...!
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Eoin McLove on November 29, 2018, 01:43:15 PM
Dust is the business.  I had it on today.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Blizzard Beast on November 29, 2018, 01:53:59 PM
The opening track on The Sullen Sulcus is really really good.Love the old My dying Bride,Anathema vibe off it.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Blizzard Beast on December 10, 2018, 11:07:23 PM
Feck me, The Sullen Sulcus is some album. A nice well written piece of doom metal which is great for the winter.Never gave it the time it deserved.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: vavonia on December 11, 2018, 03:49:55 PM
I'm in agreement with everyone who's in some kind of awe towards this album. It is a masterpiece, an absolute slab of genius.
Without question I think they are the greatest band ever to come from Ireland...by some distance. The only release that disappointed me was AMC, the rest are brilliant I reckon...but this one is a step above even the rest of their own catalogue.
It was a fucking crime that it was released on a label who did not give a toss about the band, such a waste. So, them being on Van Records now is great.
Frank Brennan will always be a focal point because he is, without question, the greatest voice to ever be associated with Irish rock or metal but Moore's tone, phrasing and lyrics are a work of art in their own right.
Genius band, genius album.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: jpm4 on December 12, 2018, 01:01:56 PM
A Murderous Circus doesn't seem to get much love, but I do think the Apocalypse Machine is one of the bands finest moments.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Eoin McLove on December 12, 2018, 02:43:09 PM
The Crashing Wave is a ripper too.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Angel of Debt on December 12, 2018, 06:37:05 PM
Dust and a Murderous circus are the two go-to albums for me.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Eoin McLove on January 30, 2020, 08:24:46 PM
A new Mourning Beloveth album must be in the works by now.  Hopefully this year will be the year. 
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Grim Reality on January 31, 2020, 01:40:20 PM
Fingers crossed.

A Murderous Circus is close to my favourite album. I have it spinning on a semi regular basis. I absolutely love the dry sparse spacious sound. Huge parts of it are completely stripped back. Its raw, open, vulnerable, melancholic and wrathful. The guitar work is just sublime. The tone invokes some sort of feeling of triumphant despair.

It's a fucking belter of an album start to finish. The 20 minute 'Nothing' being a particular highlight.

Gonna get the red wine out and stick it on again tonight. Ugh!
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Eoin McLove on February 04, 2020, 10:39:29 AM
Interesting.  Not many people seem to go for AMC. I think 'Rust and Bone' was a bit of an anti- climax after 'Formless'.  I absolutely love 'A Terrible Beauty is Born', and the two proper songs are solid if not extraordinary, but the two interludes are filler.  It seemed a bit rushed with the lack of artwork,  too.  I think they have something to prove with the next one as the last one was a bit of a dip in quality overall compared to their back catalogue.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Eoin McLove on February 04, 2020, 10:41:48 AM
And the blast beat part... I think I'm the only person who felt it didn't really add anything.  I think MB have managed to remain relevant by sticking to their guns so adding outside influences like that sort of dilutes their sound. I think they have better ideas to utilise.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: jobrok1 on February 04, 2020, 10:43:49 AM
Quote from: Eoin McLove on February 04, 2020, 10:39:29 AM
It seemed a bit rushed...
Never... EVER... expected to hear those particular words uttered in any regard when it comes to MB.
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: BlackWizard on February 09, 2020, 01:17:23 AM
Quote from: Eoin McLove on January 30, 2020, 08:24:46 PM
A new Mourning Beloveth album must be in the works by now.  Hopefully this year will be the year.

This was posted about 2hrs ago on their FB page;

https://m.facebook.com/MourningBelovethBand/photos/a.591211824298641/2732788046807664/?type=3&source=48
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Eoin McLove on February 09, 2020, 10:20:19 AM
Good news  8)
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Don Gately on February 09, 2020, 11:41:26 AM
Rust and Bone was I think a bit of an odds and sods record, more like an EP. Godether is fantastic but the rest including Terrible Beauty I no longer listen to. I like a Sullen Sulcus a lot too.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: keeper of kalessin on March 10, 2020, 10:27:52 AM
Theres a new split with ruins of beverast  up for pre order on van records now... https://van-records.com/Mourning-Beloveth-The-Ruins-Of-Beverast-Dont-Walk-On-The-Mass-Graves-gtf-10-MLP_3
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Eoin McLove on March 10, 2020, 10:38:05 AM
Pricey as fuck.  Jesus.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Black Shepherd Carnage on March 10, 2020, 01:18:39 PM
Just stuck in an order there. Good timing 'cos it'll ship with that new Sweven one so shared postage will cancel out a bit of the price!
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Eoin McLove on March 10, 2020, 06:00:55 PM
Great artwork and despite the cost I'll buy this without question. It will be interesting to hear where MB go after 'Rust and Bone'.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: keeper of kalessin on March 10, 2020, 06:01:33 PM
Quote from: Black Shepherd Carnage on March 10, 2020, 01:18:39 PM
Just stuck in an order there. Good timing 'cos it'll ship with that new Sweven one so shared postage will cancel out a bit of the price!

I did the same... new slidhr 7" split there too to soften the blow
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: vavonia on March 17, 2020, 01:38:44 PM
I saw someone mention 'Formless' as being one of their top albums of the 2010's!!!
Have to copy that narrative myself and say that if I had to choose one album for the past decade then it'd be this one.
I hate saying things like 'It's the best'......but certainly, nothing can match it for me  ;D
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Kurt Cocaine on March 27, 2020, 06:02:57 AM
New split with The Ruins of Beverast....

https://theruinsofbeverast.bandcamp.com/album/dont-walk-on-the-mass-graves-split-w-mourning-beloveth
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Black Shepherd Carnage on March 27, 2020, 09:16:36 AM
Announced a few posts back. DHL have mine somewhere, was supposed to be delivered two days ago but no word. Guess things are pretty crazy for them too
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: keeper of kalessin on March 27, 2020, 06:08:29 PM
Ok so here it is... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFWjVJ57kuk
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Kurt Cocaine on March 27, 2020, 08:07:32 PM
Quote from: Kurt Cocaine on March 27, 2020, 06:02:57 AM
New split with The Ruins of Beverast....

https://theruinsofbeverast.bandcamp.com/album/dont-walk-on-the-mass-graves-split-w-mourning-beloveth
I'm listening to that Mourning Beloveth track on repeat all evening. Amazing, absolutely amazing!
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Eoin McLove on March 28, 2020, 10:27:57 AM
Sounds great to me. I'd love to hear that, or something along those lines in the context of a full album followed with a huge, crushingly heavy song. It felt like that's what it was building up to, and I like the fact that it just did its own thing but imagine a massive, doomy death song trailing after it. I'll fire in an order for the split and the new Slidhr split 7" asap.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Eoin McLove on April 04, 2020, 10:45:02 PM
Been listening to this a fair bit over the past few days.  Incredible song.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Eoin McLove on March 03, 2021, 08:14:30 AM
Listening to Dust this morning. Great album and fantastic deep, warm production. A local classic without a doubt. I've yet to pick up the recent split which I'll have to rectify.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Necro Red on March 05, 2021, 11:05:11 AM
That recent song is excellent. Might grab that split
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Eoin McLove on February 03, 2023, 08:58:20 AM
I feel a little Mourning Beloveth binge coming on. I had The Sullen Sulcus on earlier and what a superb album it is. Pure doom magic. I wonder if they have new stuff in the works and how much Frank is contributing. Is Barry White, the new guitarist, writing as well or just filling in live?
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Don Gately on February 03, 2023, 09:38:51 AM
Barry White? They should have him singing the clean parts.... Smooth
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Eoin McLove on August 21, 2023, 10:56:16 PM
Formless on here this morning. Dead Channel! What an epic. They must be inching closer to a new full length. Rust & Bone was cool enough but I only really consider it an EP so that would mean it is now 11 years since their last actual full length  :o
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Dusty Room on February 16, 2024, 03:12:21 AM
After a few years of nothing we are finally writing some new stuff. Frank and myself on vocals and Barry and Pauric on guitar, Tim and Bren on the drum n bass.
Same Same...but different.....
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Eoin McLove on February 16, 2024, 03:43:32 AM
Interested to hear what it'll be like without Frank on guitar.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Pentagrimes on February 18, 2024, 03:01:30 PM
Quote from: Don Gately on February 03, 2023, 09:38:51 AMBarry White? They should have him singing the clean parts.... Smooth
Sure they already have Joe Dolan
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Eoin McLove on April 29, 2024, 02:03:08 AM
I'm re-reading Disgrace by J.M.Coetzee. I read it I suppose it must be 24 or 25 years ago and I can remember nothing of it. It is really, really good. I think Mr. Moore read this while writing the lyrics for A Disease for the Ages as The Sickness has been *ahem* "influenced" by passages here  :laugh:

I think I'll stick that LP on next in fact.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Eoin McLove on March 05, 2025, 09:24:34 AM
I had A Murderous Circus on in the car earlier. It's been a long time since I've reached for it. The drum sound and the overall mix of the album is jarring. Black Album drum production times 10 and pushed to the very front of the mix with guitars and bass much lower. The bass drum just bashes your head in, even in the quieter moments. Dunno how they let that get through but despite the weird sound of the album I still think the songs make it worth the effort. Was there mention of an LP version a few years ago? Imagine if they remixed it with the guitars and bass up front in the mix. It would be interesting to hear at least, even if I think an album's flaws have to be taken into consideration as a part of the experience. The production certainly sets it apart if nothing else, and I'm looking forward to spending more time with it again  8)
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Black Shepherd Carnage on March 05, 2025, 09:39:01 AM
It's definitely the MB album I've listened to the least, and by far. Might take myself a ringside seat for a listen later today.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: Eoin McLove on March 05, 2025, 08:05:50 PM
I resumed the AMC listening session on the way in to work. Fuck, it's a great album. So many brilliant parts throughout.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: open face surgery on March 05, 2025, 08:57:12 PM
Must go back to it. Always disliked it but The Apocalypse Machine was great live.
Title: Re: Formless - Mourning Beloveth
Post by: jobrok1 on March 06, 2025, 08:48:55 AM
Quote from: Eoin McLove on March 05, 2025, 09:24:34 AMI had A Murderous Circus on in the car earlier...
Was there mention of an LP version a few years ago?

It's the only album without an LP release.
Gaping hole in the set, like.   :-\