Country: United Kingdom
Genre: Death/doom metal
Full length: Projections
Format: CD, LP, digital
Label: Profound Lore Records
Release date: May 29, 2026
Featuring members formerly associated with My Dying Bride, Anathema, and Solstice, Godthrymm revives essential elements of melodic death-doom metal that seemed to have been lost after 1999. Namely heartfelt emotional depth and a drive to convey profound tragedy, qualities that were rare in extreme music when those bands first emerged.
Drawing on guitar and percussion techniques founding members Hamish Glencross and Shaun Taylor-Steels contributed to those bands, Godthrymm channels years of passion and experience into a unique sound that amplifies emotional intensity and tragedy. The lineup also includes members with diverse backgrounds of their own and a keyboardist-vocalist who is being recognized as a promising new talent in the melodic death and doom subgenres.
Over nine years, four EPs, two singles, and three full-lengths, Godthrymm underwent lineup changes while striving to unify their style into a distinctive sound. Their three albums form the "Visions Trilogy," a cohesive narrative exploring interconnected themes. Following 2020’s “Reflections” and 2023’s “Distortions,” “Projections” showcases how the band has refined their signature formula.
Every riff, lyric, section, tempo change, and mood does its part to contribute to their overarching vision, testing its relevance by stretching it across three albums. Their range and emotional intensity is further enhanced by a variety of melodic and slightly gruff vocals. During their evolution, Godthrymm has sharpened their ability to swiftly modify guitar tones and vocal styles, and Taylor-Steels consistently drives them through fluctuations in tempo and mood, supporting every shift with precision.
Newest member Catherine Glencross’s keyboards add atmospheric layers behind the guitars and bass, enriching their sound when additional character is needed. Since joining in 2022, she has become adept at supporting and augmenting the band’s vocals and instruments, enhancing their emotional impact. The same can be said for nimble-fingered guitar solos from Glencross and Kris McLaughlin that carry the emotional intensity here without overindulgence.
Glencross also shows her ability to deliver soothing and powerful vocals. In “Jewels” she demonstrates her skill at delivering high, sustained notes that showcase her strength and control. “Hope is Eternal” offers her opportunities to display more of her range, blending low and high vocals with overlapping melodies.
This heartfelt sense of tragedy, imbued with a grandiose feeling of triumph and a distinctive nineties vibe (these qualities are elevated from their roots with a vengeance) is given a few rougher edges, accentuated by guest appearances Aaron Stainthorpe formerly of My Dying Bride, Adie Bailey formerly of English Dogs and Jay Walsh of Xentrix. –Dave Wolff
Lineup:
Hamish Glencross: Vocals, lead guitars
Kris McLaughlin: Lead, rhythm and acosustic guitars
Catherine Glencross: Keyboards, vocals
Bob Crolla: Bass
Shaun Taylor-Steels: Drums, percussion
Guest vocalists:
Aaron Stainthorpe: Additional vocals on “Endure My Skin”
Adie Bailey: Additional vocals on “Trenches Deep”
Jay Walsh: Additional vocals on “Trenches Deep”
Track list:
1. Trenches Deep
2. Truth In My Own
3. The Sun Never Fell
4. Endure My Skin
5. Jewels
6. Hope Is Eternal
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