The undisputed kings of UK doom returns with what is probably the most morose record in its catalogue, which is saying something mighty grave given My Dying Bride’s legacy. “This is how the perishing will come,” croons vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe on ‘Echoes From A Hollow Soul’ and that pretty much sums up For Lies I Sire, the group’s drenched-in-British-rain, despondent plea for any sort of therapy that will help numb the now decades old pain. Bizarrely, For Lies I Sire also features My Dying Bride’s first black metal foray, as ‘A Chapter In Loathing’ begins with blasts more appropriate on a Moribund release and then continues in the black vein, Stainthorpe adopting harsh vocals that don’t seem entirely natural (and probably caused undue distress to his baritone vocals chords). For Lies I Sire is a release that exudes ambition, the record wanting so badly to be adulated and, when the rain ends, My Dying Bride has indeed presented us with one of its better latter-day efforts. Whether the album will have any sort of lasting power is to be seen, however. Of note: the special edition interestingly comes with guitar tabs to the entire album and a My Dying Bride pick, classily referred to as a ‘customised plectrum’ on the sticker.
