From their EPK, “Fifteen years since the release of their debut EP, Norizon, Belgium’s monarchs of morose majesty, Marche Funèbre, are set to unveil their fifth full length album, “After The Storm.” Each release from this special band has seen them refining their art, becoming ever more adept at delivering crushing heaviness married to wonderful melodies that resonate within the empty chambers of a broken heart…and “After The Storm” continues that continual upward trajectory, claiming its place at the peak of their recordings with ease.” The album has six songs.

“In a Haze” is first. The opening tones are not without melody, and are tempered by deep guttural vocals. The clean vocals bring the song out of the darkness, if only for the time that the last. “Palace of Broken Dreams” feature harmonized guitars and vocals, and thick bass notes, supported by a weighted riff. The melodies are subtle, but every emotive. The harsh vocals cut through the melody with a swift swing of a death scythe however, leaving no victim surviving the deep cuts. The song grows in anger and sonority as it progresses as well. “Devoid of Empathy” also features some nice harmonic guitars in the beginning, and the sound for me is like someone on his last nerve, about to throw in the towel to life in general. The harsh vocals echo with anger, while the cleans echo with despair.

“Enter Emptiness” has a slow moving riff that just bleeds with feelings of hopelessness, and the weight of the riff burdens the listener. I find myself reacting to the music by looking to the sky and asking, “is this life?,” and the harsh vocals echo this sentiment “Stranded” has more anger in the energetic sound, and also swings with a cadenced rhythm. Representing the hateful side of the music more than the despondent side, you can still feel the passion in the vocals. The title track closes the album, and it puts the final nails in your coffin. The main riff is powerful and ominous, while melodies circle, entranced within the weight of the song.

Overall, this was a fantastic album from start to finish, and the deep, expansive tones of hatred and despair trade off fluidly throughout. Attractive melodies intertwine within the caves beneath the earth, and you find yourself sinking more with each passing note.