While Heaven Wept - Vast Oceans Lachrymose

October 8, 2009

Reviewer: M.J.

Six years. Six long turbulent years full of euphoric highs and of near devastating lows. The life of a musician is not an easy one. You often traverse the world alone with nothing but the guitar on your back. Tom Phillips has known all these things since the release of the brilliant Of Empires Forlorn. His struggles would test the mettle in all of us yet he still forges on. Call it what you will but it’s a rare soul who is able to take such adversity and turn it into the heroic triumph that we find in While Heaven Wept’s latest release, Vast Oceans Lachrymose.

With time, things change and so it has with While Heaven Wept. The first change is in personnel. This time around, rejoining Tom who provides guitars, keys and vocals, is Scott Loose - guitar (Brave), and Jim Hunter - bass/vocals. Michelle Loose (Brave) joins the band but now as Michelle Schrotz - keyboards/vocals along with Trevor Schrotz (Brave) on drums. The biggest change of all though is that Tom is no longer the lead vocalist. This spot has been filled by Rain Irving (Altura). Tom felt that it was important for him to redirect his focus on his guitar skills and managing other aspects relating to the band. I had some reservations about Tom not being the lead vocalist but after hearing the finished record it’s easy to see what a great decision Tom has made choosing Rain to be the “voice” of the band.

Musically, things have changed too. Vast Oceans Lachrymose is heavier despite having a less of an imprint of doom. It also reflects more AOR and progressive rock elements while keeping the band’s trademark sound intact. Picture if you will: a Boston/Styx pop harmonic aesthetic crossed with a healthy dose of Solitude Aeturnus, all the while being steeped in Rush perfectionism, and forged in thrashy classic metal tradition ala Twisted Tower Dire. Of special note, the production is grandiose and impeccable. Kudos to the production team for the many long hours toiling to get it right.

Vast Oceans Lachrymose starts off with the bombastic, almost thrashing at times, “The Furthest Shore” that clocks in near the 16 minute mark. Daring to say the least; very few artists would be so confident in their audience’s attention span. Any fears of that, though, are quickly assayed as its song structure is built with a dynamic arrangement that allows the melody to weave with ebb and flow through a lyrical tale of melancholy and hope. It is quite a heady experience indeed. One truly reaps its rewards with repeated plays.

“To Wander the Void” begins with a rather crushing doom-laden guitar riff that segues into some of Rain’s best emotive singing. The staccato drumming patterns drive the song along its urgent path. The barrage of thunderous and galloping riffing is interrupted only by a few slower softer passages as if to transition us along our journey into the unknown. The quickest 6 and half minutes, it seems, especially after the opener.

“Living Sepulchre” starts with a heavy chugging riff and fast paced drumming that almost defies any approximation to doom at times. Unnerving and powerful edgy singing along with harsh whispered words give way to a sweet soft acoustic climax.

“Vessel” is the most “commercial” song on the record and is the lead single promoting the album. It is very much akin to “Voice in the Wind” with its strong melodic progressive rock feel and AOR influences. 

While it does stand out as being quite different from the other heavier tracks, it still bears the While Heaven Wept signature stamp. The layered vocal harmonies, expansive keyboards and guitars help convey a warmth and vulnerability that is not expressed as deeply elsewhere.

The final two songs are instrumentals. Tom did provide some lyrical lines of insight on the grand “Vast Oceans Lachrymose” which is very doomy, mellow and reflective.

Release Date: November 3, 2009
Label: Cruz Del Sur Music

TRACK LISTING

1.  The Furthest Shore
2.  To Wander the Void
3.  Living Sepulchre
4.  Vessel
5.  Vast Oceans Lachrymose
6.  Epilogue

Total playing time: 42:17

TO THE TOP

I set my heart out to sea,
hoping someday my love would return to me,
yet the years have passed like waves,
and I have fatigued with age,
in lachrymal oceans vast,
deserts of time have washed away
The passage of time implies progression,
yet I've become stone,
watching worlds dying,
negating the solace I've never known

The end draws near with “Epilogue” which is kind of a sonic doppelgänger to “The Furthest Shore”. Tom has indicated that this song serves as a dark transition to the next release Fear of Infinity, of which material has been completed. The promises of a dark doomy companion follow up to Vast Oceans Lachrymose only hasten anticipation if it is just as sublime as this masterpiece.

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