ILLIMITABLE DOLOR is an Australian Atmospheric Doom Metal band that was formed by the members of another Australian Doom Metal band called THE SLOW DEATH. The band was formed as a tribute to their band mate Gregg Williamson, who passed away due to a heart attack. The name of the band has its roots in Middle English and it loosely translates to "limitless sorrow". The lyrics of this doom laden album have been written by Paul Hardacre and the theme of the album is surreal in nature and deal with the creation of a philosopher's stone. The band has been influenced by acts such as ANATHEMA, FUNERAL, PARADISE LOST, among others. ILLIMITABLE DOLOR was formed in the year 2014 and released their debut self-titled effort in the year 2017. The album has four dour tracks with a runtime of just under the 45 minutes mark and each track evokes the feeling of loss and despair.

"Rail of Moon, a Stone" is the first track of the album and right from the start the song has a depressing riff backed by somber organ music. Heavy gravelly lead vocals sung in a lumbering, sluggish manner add an aura of absolute bleakness. The track is reminiscent of another Australian band, MOURNFUL CONGREGATION, in the way of heavy down tunes distorted guitar sound accompanied by mournful keyboard melodies. As the track passes the 5 minute mark, the melody speeds up ever so slightly egged on by a Death Metal riff before slowing down and drifting slothfully to it conclusion.

"Comet Dies or Shines" starts off with a slightly faster riff, which is on a loop and the song deals with the passage to the next world across the river Styx. Past the 3-minute mark and the tempo of the song changes to faster galloping riff, still accompanied by the gloomy organ. Once the 5-minute mark is passed, the track becomes a slow and a laggard instrumental melody till its eventual end. This track has a bit of variation in terms of tempo with the song slowing down considerable before speeding up towards the end. "Salt of Brazen Seas" is the longest track of the album just shy of 13 minutes in runtime. The song starts out with a depressing church organ melody that is backed by guttural lead vocals. Together they make a terrific combination and the track leads the listener on a somber heavier path. "Abandoned Cuts of River" is the last and final track of the album and the track is just over 12 minutes in runtime. The opening riff of the song, which lasts a little before the 2 minute mark, is a Death Metal influenced riff that chugs along at a healthy pace before slow husky lead vocals return to slow things considerably. The vocals are dispersed equally along the track and while the middle section of the track is a slow, measured part, towards the end of the track the tempo is brisk and hurries toward its demise.

The band has put out a strong debut album with meaningful lyrical content that mourns the loss of a comrade-in-arms. The music that the band has put is very personal and emotional to the members involved. That being said, the band does not break any new ground originality wise. The songs are quite rigid in their structure and the changes in tempo do nothing to make the track exciting. As with most Doom Metal songs, the band manages to stretch a couple of really good riffs to over 10 minutes that really take the potency out of the melody. Overall, this is a good example of a strong Doom/Funeral Metal band but I found it incredibly repetitious and, quite frankly, was a little bored by the time I reached the end of the tracks. I would recommend it only if one is in the mood to listen to long-winded morose tracks and, of course, a rabid fan of the whole Doom/ Funeral Metal scene.<