CROSS VAULT is a Doom Metal band from Germany who formed in 2013.  Their new album, "As Strangers We Depart," is their third full length album; they also released an EP in 2016. Even as far as Doom <etal goes, CROSS VAULT's "As Strangers We Depart," is one morose and melancholic album.  That obviously isn't a bad thing at all and the band makes it interesting all the way through.  What I really appreciate about this album is that it is without a doubt a heavy album but it trades abrasiveness for gloom. In essence, it is as atmospheric as it is thundering—the two styles interact within the songs so well that the whole experience is very smooth despite its dismal approach.

The guitars play a very large role in the band's sound but it isn't necessarily riff based.  M's and G's playing stands out with how well they employ and integrate haunting yet infectious melodies and harmonies into the wall of sound riffs.   It gives the entire album very thick and rich layers without sounding overburden.   These soundscapes combine with N's vocals lend the album a classic doom feel but it sounds much more modern, especially in terms of production.  On top of all that, both the bass and drums offer rewarding experiences and sound dreamy yet lay down that much needed foundation to hold it all up.

There are a couple issues I have with the album, however.  I know this may seem odd to bring this up considering the genre but the bulk of the songs do go on a minute or so longer than needed. I know, I know...something, something, doom metal.  I know, believe me, I do.  Doom is by far my favorite genre but doom doesn't always need to be long winded. The interlude "Ravines," is a well played song and actually sounds pretty sweet but it doesn't really need to be on the album and is just for filler for me.  It is also a reminder that sometimes it seems these clean sections sound forced into the songs, perhaps to break up potential monotony.

The album begins with "A Golden Mending," and its sonic density immediately rings out in waves of hard hitting riffs and those melodies I mentioned earlier.  The drums do a fine job in keeping it all more energetic than it has a right to be considering how slow it is but I don't have any complaints about that.  N's vocals aren't the greatest in the world but they are definitely far from terrible—his style is uneven in terms of presenting itself as a rough clean or something reserved for epic/traditional style doom but it works within context of the music.

Around the 3:45 mark, the song stops to let a clean passage through.  As I mentioned earlier, this is a nice endeavor but it seems out of place with the rest of the song.  At the 6:36 mark, power riffs land massive hit after hit with slight hints of melody.  The drums get the blood back pumping and N sings his ass off before the song ends in a dazzle of melodic delight. "The Unknown Rewinds," might present an argument for the album peaking too earlier in quality because this is one of the best songs presented, if not THE best.  The opening harmonies are grand in size and structure.  N's vocals are much better here than on the first song and he seems to be in his element.  The music is simple but does its job of crushing and bring the sadness with it...perfect doom.  The clean parts sound better integrated as well and I felt they had a much more natural flow than the opening track.

"Other Rivers," is held together by sinister riffing...dirty, grimy, yet somehow still poetic.  N's vocals sound more detached here and I like it—I also liked his boisterous shouting.  Around the 4:55 mark, choppy riffs tear up the landscape and rebuild a path for a gorgeous lead guitar part. The final track, the instrumental "Silent Wastes Untrod," sticks the clean parts in the beginning which works much better for the band.  The song's flow is much easier to navigate and feels like a true musical journey.  The sorrow drenched riffs that comes after add a touch of Gothic doom to the proceedings and it makes the song that much better—and definitely epic enough to be a closing track.

CROSS VAULT's "As Strangers We Depart" may not be a perfect album but it is a damn good listen and if the band can get out of their own way, I can foresee their next album taking them to the next level.