Not being an Opeth fan,1 I know it can’t just be me who reads Pain Communion as a deliberate riff on Pale Communion. The debut from Kevin George’s solo endeavour Collapsed Vein, however, seems to have absolutely nothing to do with the famous Swedes and their famous album, though that doesn’t mean it wasn’t named deliberately. It’s rare that doom not preceded by the adjective “funeral” or which isn’t otherwise explicitly DisemBOWELment-coded ignites any excitement within me, but Pain Communion seemed promising. A cool, respectably occult cover, combined with cited influence from as disparate styles as Triptykon and Neurosis, and the interest-tickling use of the word “oppressive” as descriptor. On this and the solidity of single “Children of God,” I was in.
Pain Communion offers a death-doom that channels a blend of interpretations, without really sounding exactly like any in particular, thanks to the frequent and prominent coinciding use of organs, ambience, and a very vague side-eye at disso-death. However, there is a dominant pattern here, and it goes beyond the established conventions of the genre. A mid-tempo (for doom) stalk, grounding one main riff progression that goes through a key change at intervals, and organ chords providing backup. Sometimes things take a more atmospheric turn, with post-metal liquidity (“Deviant Burial,” “Inevitable End”) or disso-death mystique (“May Your Name Still Endure,” “Invictus”) opening songs or serving as bridges within them. These latter aspects are by far the most interesting and add greatly-needed zhuzh to the solid but formulaic death-doom.
Pain Communion by Collapsed Vein
But let it not be said that Collapsed Vein can’t write a memorable melody; there are several that continue to float through my brain on the regular (“Pissgrave,” “Inevitable End”). The integration of resonant ambience, and sinister dissonance leads to some powerfully dark and grandiose moments as riffs pick up the theme (“Deviant Burial”) or gain extra weight as they morph between classic doomy leadenness and unnerving urgency (“May Your Name Still Endure”). Pain Communion is also blessed by an unshakeable presence, thanks to the prevalence of organs, the frequent rise of ominous chorals, and reverb that drips off the chords and throaty growls alike. The way the roars echo across the chords is especially satisfying, and it’s even better when they pitch upwards into a long, incredibly gnarly scream (“Children of God,” “May Your Name Still Endure,” “Overwhelmed with Bereavement”). Though this is doom, there are some passages where the percussion climbs out of the steady plod and shows us some spine-tingling sparkle I normally go to more extreme metal to experience (“Invictus,” “The Devil’s Orchard”). Even the spoken-word works; possibly because it’s just below the clearly audible level, possible also because against the liturgical backdrop of grudge-filled guitars and organs and chants and atmosphere, the grey delivery plays like a black mass and it’s actually cool.
Beyond the skill, the undeniable heaviness, and the moments of chilling excitement, Pain Communion suffers a little from uncomfortable predictability and a frustrating restraint. More often than not, the spell of a brilliant, moody intro is broken by a resurgence of the recurring chug and chime of riffs and organ that blast away the melancholy melody and replace it with something plainer (“May Your…” “Inevitable End,” “Invictus”). Collapsed Vein also seems reticent to let go of the dominating structure of songs, where percussive flourish and ambient, discordant depth give way rapidly to a measured tread, and a blunter heft. It means that in spite of the consistent appearance of excellence, the album begins to wear on the listener, and one loses patience to appreciate those moments as time ticks towards the hour mark. More’s the pity, since Pain Communion ends on a brilliant, characterful cover of Black Sabbath’s “Eternal Idol.”
As harsh as I may have been, I can’t denigrate the talent and potential that courses through Pain Communion. Not only suffused with atmosphere and satisfyingly stodgy, it has personality. I wish Collapsed Vein would lean a little more into their mysterious side and turn up the ambient, dissonant, strangeness, but there’s time yet. This won’t be the last you hear from them.
Rating: Good
DR: ? | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3
Label: Self-Release
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: April 18th, 2025
The post Collapsed Vein – Pain Communion Review appeared first on Angry Metal Guy.
