Last year I wrote a bit about Talsur, a one-man doom metal juggernaut out in Russia who has been self-releasing all kinds of dark and melancholic music that touches on a variety of doom subgenres, just letting the sounds of lament come forth in a torrent, flowing in whatever direction natural chaos takes it in. Now with a little help from Sofia Strazhkova on violin, Talsur has put out a new full-length album entitled "Tormented" - a gloriously sorrowful piece of melodic death/doom with plenty gothic inspiration in the vein of My Dying Bride. Guitar, bass, and drums groan and growl with some morose doom that even borders on the grim at points, while piano and violin phase in and out adding somber melodies and a classic, refined atmosphere to create a romantic funeral of sorts. Clean vocals clash beautifully with death growls to drag you through grief - even if you don't understand the source - and then slow, grand riffs moan with ill intent as they prey on your heightened emotions before ripping into brief flashes of broad, grizzly violence. Scattered throughout the album are pockets of haunting, ghostly sound during which the lament of a dozen lost lives seems to weigh on your soul and you're left paralyzed, able to do nothing but let the pain wash over you, be it smooth or scathing. The intensity only ramps up as the album goes on, eventually swelling to an epic and anguished end. This is the sound of contemplation as you stand motionless in the graveyard - surrounded by beautiful stone monuments that herald eternity - ready to hurl yourself into your own tomb! Tormented is a record that was made for those bewitched by pain and sorrow - but if you aren't there yet, you will be after you hear this! -Brandon
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