The Reticent Amor Mortem Mei Erit
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer
Amor Mortem Mei Erit is the latest release from the Reticent, the one-man side project of Wehrwolfe drummer Chris “Mordrid” Hathcock. Far from Wehrwolfe’s fierce death metal assault, The Reticent offers a tranquil, melancholy sound with gorgeous acoustic instrumentals and moving, soulful vocals.
Amor Mortem Mei Erit is not a metal album per se, but it’s coming from a metal musician and has a metal feel. The most obvious point of comparison is Opeth’s brilliant “mellow” album Damnation, but you can’t help thinking that this is the album the Moody Blues would have made if they wanted people to kill themselves. It’s hard to find the right way to describe an album like Amor Mortem Mei Erit. Beautifully despondent? Majestically bleak? Listening to The Reticent is like walking out onto a craggy beach just before dawn. The rocks, water, sand, fog – all gray. These songs are the waves that wash over you until you can imagine walking out into the water and just continuing until the water overwhelms you, but you still go willingly into the gray. My Dying Bride only wishes they were this depressing.
As moving and impressive as it is, the album could have benefited from more “plugged in” solos, and some Hammond or Mellotron action would give it a more classic sound, but those are relatively small gripes. It’s largely an acoustic guitar and vocal album, and both aspects are handled extremely well.
With its emotional and introspective lyrics, moving instrumental work and melancholy atmosphere, Amor Mortem Mei Erit was one of the best new releases of 2008, and is one that open minded metal fans, particularly those who enjoy Opeth, Porcupine Tree, and bands that tend towards the bleaker end of the spectrum, will definitely want to check out.
Label: Heaven and Hell Records
Track Listing:
1. Amor Mortem Mei Erit
2. Afterthought
3. Emancipate
4. Years in a Moment
5. Hurt
6. Remission
7. Painless
8. If…
9. Slough of Despond
10. To Be Forgotten…
Hardrock Haven Rating: 9/10