I had a quick check of the dictionary to confirm my thoughts about what the album title means, and it is indeed a verb meaning “(of organic matter) become liquid, typically during decomposition.” Maestus emerged from the Pacific Northwest with its forlorn black doom in 2013 under the hand of Stephen Parker (Pillorian). In the spring of 2018, the band signed with code666/Aural Music and reconvened to record their sophomore album, where they have combined to provide four songs at a total length of just over fifty minutes. Funeral doom, blackened doom, melodic doom, melancholic metal, these guys are taking emotional doom to a whole new level, and although they can speed it up at times this is all about forethought and control, notes and chords being carefully placed to bring forward a feeling of pressure and power, atmosphere and emotion.

Although there are four songs, it feels more like four movements of a complete piece as they move through different sections, all carefully constructed to become an overpowering and incredibly intense album. This is music with little room for light, it is all dark shades and foreboding, and feels as if it has come out of a Norwegian night as opposed to Oregon where the band are based. The despair is palpable, and the album title is perfect as the solid form collapses in on itself and we are helpless to do anything apart from sit and watch. The use of keyboards here and there, and particularly piano, does little to lighten proceedings and instead just reinforces the depth of pain already being felt. For fans of this style of music, this is an incredibly important release.

Rating: 8/10

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/maestusdoom
https://www.code666.net/