Godthrymm Projections Review
Godthrymm
Projections
Profound Lore Records
2026
Godthrymm is a UK Doom Metal band that was previously unknown to me, though the group carries undeniable pedigree with former members of My Dying Bride, Anathema, and Solstice in its ranks. The band is now preparing to release its third full-length album, “Projections”, through Profound Lore Records on May 29th.
Coming into this album blind turned out to be a blessing. Sometimes Doom Metal works best when you don’t overthink it, when you simply let the weight of the music settle over you like cold rain. From the very first notes, “Projections” feels like a ghost wandering out of the 1990’s UK Doom scene. Fans of Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, and Anathema will immediately recognize the DNA running through these songs. This isn’t a modernized reinterpretation or some overly polished tribute act, it feels authentic, steeped in the same sorrow, grandeur, and funereal beauty that made that era so unforgettable.
This is the kind of Doom Metal that first pulled me into the genre decades ago. Back then, those bands sounded alien compared to everything else happening in Metal. There was elegance hidden beneath the misery, melody buried under crushing riffs, and an emotional honesty that heavier music rarely touched. Godthrymm tap directly into that spirit.
The strings, orchestration, and haunting atmosphere throughout the album are exceptional, but one of the record’s greatest strengths comes from Catherine Glencross. Her vocals and keyboard work add an ethereal quality that drifts through the album like candle smoke in a cathedral. Thankfully, this never comes across as some obligatory “guest appearance” situation simply because she’s married to vocalist/guitarist Hamish Glencross. She earns every moment here. Her presence gives the album much of its emotional depth and quiet beauty.
Musically, the approach is deceptively simple: massive riffs, mournful melodies, and patience. Godthrymm understand that Doom doesn’t need unnecessary complexity when the mood is this strong. One crushing chord rings out and the rest of the song unfolds naturally, carried by atmosphere and feeling rather than technical excess.
The appearance of Aaron Stainthorpe on “Endure My Skin” only deepens the emotional pull. His voice remains one of the most instantly recognizable and emotionally devastating in Doom Metal. There’s a weathered sadness in his delivery that immediately transports me back to the golden age of the genre, and honestly, I’ll listen to just about anything he’s involved with.
Despite the album’s heavy melancholy and sprawling emotional weight, “Projections” wisely keeps one foot planted in Traditional Heavy Metal. Beneath the sorrow are plenty of sturdy riffs, melodic leads, and enough movement to keep these lengthy compositions engaging. Most songs hover around the six-to-seven-minute mark, with a few stretching past nine minutes, but the album rarely drags. For longtime Metalheads like myself, that balance matters. If you’re asking me to sit with songs this long, you’d better bring riffs worthy of the journey, and Godthrymm absolutely delivers.
Production-wise, the album occasionally struggles to maintain the cohesion I was hoping for. Personally, I prefer this style of Doom to feel more spacious and restrained, almost dreamlike in its presentation. Here, there are moments where the mix pushes too hard into the red, creating a harshness that can feel slightly jarring against the otherwise mournful atmosphere. That said, my ears have survived decades of loud music and recent surgeries, so your mileage may vary.
Minor production gripes aside, “Projections” is a powerful reminder of a style of Doom Metal that has become increasingly rare. Few modern bands capture the aching melancholy and windswept majesty of the 90’s UK scene without sounding forced or nostalgic for nostalgia’s sake. Godthrymm manage to do exactly that. For devotees of classic Doom Metal, this is essential listening and one of the more sincere love letters to that era I’ve heard in years.
Standouts – “Endure The Pain”, “Hope Is Eternal” and “The Sun Never Fell”.