From Bandcamp, “STRUCTURE is a doom project created in 2021 by former OFFICIUM TRISTE and THE 11^TH HOUR guitarist Bram Bijlhout.” From their EPK, “In the moments of silence, when we have slipped from rooms and the gaze and demands of others, we can wander through all that has been, hold the precious, present moment in our hands and weigh both our delights and despair with reasoned measure. “Heritage” is about family, history and all that makes us who we are. It is about loss, hope and all the emotions that fuel us on an everyday basis. It is a very personal album about what we become in life through our Heritage and experiences. The pictures on the artwork are from my personal family photo albums which I received after my grandfather died.”

The album has seven songs. “Will I Deserve It” has a slow and pensive lead-in, until a towering, massive sound drops like a humanity-ending meteor to the Earth. There are some melodic tones as well, but they are very solemn, and nearly obliterated by the sheer weight of the song. “What We Have Lost” is deeply disturbing in terms of the absolutely crushing sound. The guttural vocals are so low, and the music so slow, it sounds like the time that passes between eons.  The distorted guitar rattles with held notes that seem to sustain forever. Judging by the sound, the lost is profound. “Long Before Me” begins with semi-clean guitar tones that drip with thoughtfulness and even sorrow. Distorted tones follow, and they sound to me like what you would find peering off the edge of a cliff.

“The Sadness of Everyday Life” is a slow song with a crawling pace, like a snake slithering across the floor, taking his time, and stalking his prey. It has somber tones however, like an endless stretch of rainy days with a greyed over sky. I suspect a lot of us feel like this from time to time. The title track is perhaps the best on the album. Beginning with clean, but sober tones, it reminds us of the things that are most important in life…family…and the deep loss we feel when someone departs. The guttural vocals reflect one stage of loss…anger. “The Feeling of Confusion” has lead guitar notes that sing, even lament in harmony. Spoken word follows, and the song paints a picture of dread, and that dread seems to permeate every aspect of life…when you wake in the morning, and when you close your eyes at night.

“Until the Last Gasp” closes the album, and it’s a fitting closer that speaks of the pain and horrors of what humans can endure, but also the resilient will of the human spirit. For me, the song is about that fight, and not giving up unless you draw your final breath. This was an excellent album from start to finish, and many of the themes of family and loss I can relate to, and I believe you will to. The heavy funeral Doom aspect of the album is almost too much to bear, but it being so, it will test your resolve. Take a journey into the eyes and mind of Bram, and you won’t be disappointed.