The Light at the End of the World is the sixth album by My Dying Bride, released in 1999. After the more experimental 34.788%...Complete, this album marks a return to the more traditional My Dying Bride doom sound and style of lyrics. It was also the first My Dying Bride release since 1994's The Sexuality of Bereavement to feature growling vocals, although Aaron Stainthorpe has noticeably changed his style and broadened his range. All guitar parts on the album were recorded by Andrew Craighan, following the earlier departure of Calvin Robertshaw. Following Robertshaw's departure, only Craighan and Stainthorpe remained as founding members of the band. Hamish Glencross was soon after recruited as permanent guitarist. The keyboard parts were played by Jonny Maudling of Bal-Sagoth. It is also the first MDB album to feature the drumming of Shaun Steels, who would remain with the band until 2006.
The Light at the End of the World | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1999[1] | |||
Genre | Death-doom, gothic metal | |||
Length | 71:11 | |||
Label | Peaceville | |||
My Dying Bride chronology | ||||
|
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal | 8/10[2] |
Metal Hammer | 9/10[3] |
When the CD was reissued in 2003, it contained no bonus tracks.
Track listing
edit- All songs written & arranged by My Dying Bride (VILE Music).
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "She Is the Dark" | 8:26 |
2. | "Edenbeast" | 11:22 |
3. | "The Night He Died" | 6:25 |
4. | "The Light at the End of the World" | 10:35 |
5. | "The Fever Sea" | 4:05 |
6. | "Into the Lake of Ghosts" | 7:08 |
7. | "The Isis Script" | 7:08 |
8. | "Christliar" | 10:30 |
9. | "Sear Me III" | 5:26 |
Total length: | 71:11 |
Song information
edit"She Is The Dark" and "The Fever Sea" have become live regulars since this release, each appearing on both The Voice of the Wretched and Sinamorata. "Sear Me III" is the third in a trilogy of songs to bear the title, preceded by the keyboard and violin-only "Sear Me MCMXCIII" in 1993 and "Sear Me" in 1991, which is more similar in style to the third incarnation, being a full band composition.
Personnel
edit- Aaron Stainthorpe - vocals
- Andrew Craighan - guitars
- Adrian Jackson - bass
- Shaun Taylor-Steels - drums
Additional Personnel
edit- Jonny Maudling - keyboards
- Calvin Robertshaw - second guitar on "Sear Me III"
References
edit- ^ a b York, William. The Light at the End of the World allmusic.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-22.
- ^ Popoff, Martin (2007). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 3: The Nineties. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 302. ISBN 978-1-894959-62-9.
- ^ Dome, Malcolm (December 1999). "Under the Hammer". Metal Hammer. No. 69. UK: Future plc. p. 73.