ILLIMITABLE DOLOR is an Atmospheric Death/Doom band from Australia.  "Leaden Light," is their second full length and they also have a split with PROMETHEAN MISERY.  Three of this band's members are from another Doom band called THE SLOW DEATH, a band whose vocalist, Gregg Williamson, died in 2014.  ILLIMITABLE DOLOR were formed as a tribute to him.

From the opening notes after the sounds of thunderstorm on "Armed He Brings The Dawn," I was impressed by this bands keen sense of melody. Of course, parts of this album sound like the soundtrack to a funeral procession (compliment by the way, this IS Doom Metal after all) but it is interspersed with some highly emotional guitars and keys.  Their use of melodic tones into their Doom structure doesn't take away from the depressed, down trodden sound but highlights the songs like a dim streetlight on a rainy night.  This first track is almost fifteen minutes long and I could spend the rest of this review writing about this one track because there is just so much goddamn good stuff going on here.  The Death growls backed by the funeral tinged keyboards set a foreboding tone of what comes next. Very heavy, fuzzed filled distortion is the results of the warning I received only moments earlier. This passage is beautiful in its simplicity, light key touches in the background that meld into wonderful melodic passages with the guitars and keys.  Songs like this evoke the true emotion and power of Doom Metal.

"Soil She Bears," is one of two short tracks but it isn't any less impressive.  Powerful Death growls cut through the macabre keys. The song is centered around the mid-section, an almost otherworldly passage with touching keyboards, clean guitar, and drums that capture the mood, something that a lot of drummers cannot do. "Horses Pale and Four," immediately hits hard with a strong riff made of pure lead. The lead guitar shines with its melody as it grows for over a minute, all the instruments coming together as one. Really though the whole first four minutes or so are just really sad yet beautiful like the passing of a love one that has suffered far too long.  The song ends on a high note due in no small part to the epic performance of the drums. "Leaden Light Her Coils," is the most emotional song on the album and the one that is the hardest to listen to because it brings back a lot of memories of those lost, which is a stirring reminder that Metal, even one as dark as Doom, is more than what most people think it is.  For a song to bring about such thoughts and emotions is high praise indeed.

The nine-minute mark starts a section where the keys dig in deep and just pull everything out in front.  The heavy guitars work side by side with them while the Death growls ride on top of it all.  It is a moment of where heavy, melody, and atmosphere meet at the crossroads and the journey to get there is the most rewarding experience for the listener. "2.12.14," is one of the best instrumentals I've heard in a while. It doesn't need to be long or have a bunch of crazy parts.  All that is needs is music played from the heart and put into song by people who have experienced the worst lie has to offer, as I assume the title is in reference to the passing of their friend.   A stirring and very moving song and about the only way to end an album like this.

With "Leaden Light," ILLIMITABLE DOLOR has released a Doom Metal record that is as emotive as it is depressing, a darkly beautiful journey by a band that has put their very soul into the work.  Highly suggested and not to be missed by fans of this style of Doom.