WineA gloomy cover with a beautiful unblemished face looming out from amidst the autumnal leaves of a shallow grave and an album title called ‘Glad To Be Dead.’ There’s something poetic about the concept and that’s before we get anywhere near the music which like the subject matter is bound to be cheerless. Wine From Tears are another miserable bunch from Russia who have atmospheric doom coursing through their veins. Having been active since 2002 they have not been that prolific although this could be explained by what appears to be a bit of a revolving doors syndrome as far as band members are concerned. This is their second album following on from 2009 release Through The Eyes Of A Mad, thankfully it would seem that this particular clumsy title is a thing of the past and the group are a lot more eloquent now.

Starting with an instrumental both gorgeous in title and execution ‘For Those Who Died Asleep’ revolves around a moody piano soliloquy that is heartfelt in its fragility, like existence itself. ‘Allergic Sun’ starts things properly by further extinguishing all light but casting its pall in the warmth of some amazing guitar work from twin players Alexandr and Alex (who also provides vocals). They really make their axes sing, although weep would be a better word and it is their dextrous playing that is a constant through the album and really brings the music fantastically to life. Vocals come in as an expected gruff rasp but as we learn this is not one-dimensional at all and they are at times uplifting and clean by contrast. It would be all too easy to scatter the names of similar acts to the winds and it is probably Finns Swallow The Sun that I would look to first which is no bad thing at all. It is not all doom and gloom as passages are liable to suddenly soar as one does suddenly here with the first passage of harmonious vocals. It really adds to the song which like everything on the album seems to be written with skill and precision. There is little in the way that would have me mentioning the obvious British bands although there are times when I am reminded a bit of Judgement era Anathema with some of the fret-work. ‘What Are You Waiting For’ is a prime example of this as the guitar flows in unbroken melodicism that is glorious and maudlin in equal measures. You wonder when it will end but don’t want it to over the songs entire length flirting around both the clean and rough vocals. As it finally ebbs to conclusion you realise you had forgotten to breath, time to take a deep one.

The flow of the songs here really draw you in and after the first couple of listens the album gets right beneath the skin and becomes near addictive. The power behind numbers such as ‘Let Me In’ which moves into a sudden deathly swagger and then onto a sparkling acoustic break is pure nirvana. The epic ‘The Light At The End Of The World’ is the penultimate 10 minute number and is dealt with the reverence that its subject matter necessitates burning brightly like a beacon that can never go out. Yet there is still one trick left for the albums shorter concluding piece ‘Silence No More’ which contains the sudden slap round the face, belting vocal triumph of session singer Elle Fathlova leaving you wondering why she is only suddenly present and making you want to listen to the album again with her on every track. Less is however more and it’s another trump card dealt on what has been a fantastic album for lovers of atmospheric doom. Get it and weep!

(8/10 Pete Woods)

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http://winefromtears.bandcamp.com