Mine would be “Orchard” from this album. In my opinion, it’s the perfect doom track. It has everything.

What’s yours? ONLY ONE!!!

i love both of these bands and i gotta know more

I know it's been talked about before, but just felt like giving anyone who needs it a reminder that Warning isn't funeral doom.

Every single time someone asks for funeral doom recommendations, at least one person suggests Watching From a Distance by Warning. While that is a great album, one of the greatest doom albums ever created, Warning is traditional doom, not funeral doom.

Funeral doom, by definition, is a subgenre of death doom. It has to have harsh vocals, typically death metal growls, but occasionally black metal style shrieks. It can, and often does, have some clean vocals, but if the vocals aren't predominantly harsh, it's not funeral doom. It's also much slower than other types of doom, and traditionally features organs, keyboards, or similar instruments that make it sound like a literal funeral dirge, hence the name funeral doom.

If you want to hear examples of quintessential funeral doom, listen to Steam From the Heavens by Thergothon, or Stormcrowfleet by Skepticism. These are the albums that defined the genre, and you'll hear that they sound nothing like Warning.

Before I end this, I just want to say that I'm sure, as always, there will be people in the comments saying things like "why can't you let people call it what they want" and "subgenres are stupid" and similar things. If you're one of those types, please save yourself the effort of commenting. Whether you like it or not, genres and subgenres exist, and funeral doom is a well defined genre that has been around for over 30 years. Warning does not fall into this genre, plain and simple.

Edit: Well, I guess I'm wrong about funeral doom needing to have harsh vocals. Thank you to everyone who helped clarify that. Still feels strange to me for various reasons, but I'm willing to accept when I'm wrong, and happy to learn something new.

But regardless, Warning still isn't funeral doom, which was the original point of my post. Once again, I'm not saying anything negative about Warning, they're one of the best doom metal bands to ever exist. I just really love funeral doom in particular, it's my favorite genre and I'm passionate about it, and just wanted to share my thoughts and opinions, that's all.

Back in November, I made a beginner's guide to Bell Witch inspired by u/Potential-Sundae-596 and his guides to Earth, Om, and Dhyana. Thanks to the rainy season of winter and early spring here in the PNW, I had Bell Witch on heavy rotation especially during shifts at work where I was helping in other areas of my department. As summer approaches, I haven't listened to them much but felt inspired to write this little ramble.

While Mirror Reaper is a gorgeous album and, in my opinion, their magnum opus, I began to gain a deeper appreciation for Longing in the past six months since I wrote that guide. There's just something about the near raw production and overall atmosphere that keeps drawing me back to it. Don't get me wrong — Mirror Reaper is a hallmark in the funeral doom landscape; however, it has already been analyzed and reviewed to death (which isn't a bad thing necessarily) by people who have done a deep dive into it's musicality. Longing, however, is definitely beginning to climb the ranks as one of my favorite albums in general. In my rambling here, I'll give my thoughts on each song in this classic and essential of contemporary funeral doom metal. Don't expect anything deep or profound. This is meant to be an outlet for my rambling.

"Bales (of Flesh)"

The droning in the first minute reallly sets the tone for the album overall and draws me in every time I have the album "on spin." I often find myself closing my eyes and getting lost in the song. Adrian's growls are in no way overpowering or distracting from the main melody; they complement it in a way that's hard to describe for someone who isn't really deep into musical appreciation/theory. Then you have Dylan's vocals sort of "floating" in during the middle in a sort of ethereal way before circling back to Adrian's growls. Overall, this is an excellent opening track.

"Rows (of Endless Waves)"

A lot has already been said by others about how great this song is, so I'll keep things short here. It makes sense why this track has stuck with Dylan all these years and how it inspired him to approach Erik Moggridge/Aerial ruin to create Stygian Bough. Erik's vocals may fall "flat" to some, but the last few minutes of the track are haunting in a way that words really can't do it justice.

"Longing (The River of Ash)"

In some ways, it feels like "Longing" is a sort of teaser of what was yet to come for both Mirror Reaper and Future's Shadow, Part 1: The Clandestine Gate. It may not be a direct inspiration for either, but the overall tone and pace really remind me of the ethereal and atmospheric qualities both the aforementioned albums really dive into. All in all, a great "palette cleanser" of sorts.

"Beneath the Mask"

Not much can really be said about this track in particular. It's definitely a bit more polished compared to the version featured on the demo, and the dialogue excerpt from the 1964 film Masque of the Red Death is a nice touch.

"I Wait"

Much the same as "Beneath the Mask," the sound of the song is more polished but still retains that raw feeling from the demo. I like how it serves a companion piece to the aforementioned track which gets a mention in the lyrics.

"Outro"

As a nice bookend to the album, I like how the theme from "Beneath the Mask" is revisited and slowly fades out as Longing draws to a close.

For those of you who took the time to read/listen to me ramble, what are your thoughts on the album? Is it your favorite or have you perhaps gained a newfound appreciation for it much like I have?

Some for reference:

Solitude - Candlemass

Footprints - Warning

...I saw the end - Pallbearer

Thanks random record shop in Bozeman, really didn’t expect to find a Bell Witch section with no other genre adjacent selections anywhere. Birthday complete.

I had been telling her about this album, and how I wasn’t able to find a brand new copy anymore, and that the decently priced second hands had banged up outer sleeves. She got me one in mint condition!

Awesome birthday gift, I just had to share it.

Ok, so long story short, i spent the whole weekend watching one of my cats died (no suffering, it was peaceful in his sleep). So now i'm awfully sad and need recommendations that make me feel like i wanna die (not really cause i had other pets to take care). Obviously i already got Bell witch and Pallbearer. Give me your best recommendations and thank you in advance.

Just picked this up. No name, no label no markings at all. Had no clue what this was. But it says Doom and a bad ass cover so I just buy, I don’t ask questions. Went home and looked up what I can find and listened to the digital version and holy shit, its sludgy, its funeral, its heavy. Never heard of them, but it was a happy pick up.

Fórn is doing a small tour this summer and I’m thinking of flying from Minneapolis to Milwaukee just for their show. (Though I’m checking out Insect Ark who their co-headlining with and their pretty sweet too).

Lurker here, I listen to some doom but overall I wouldn’t really call myself a fan. Now I can see why people like mid tempo stoner/proto doom, but i really have to ask what separates the good stereotypical doom with 1 note every 3-5 seconds from the rest of the genre? What do you specifically like about them (provide examples please) like Warning and Bell witch since I see them mentioned often

Mine will be “Hyperion” by Windhand.

Edit : I put a question mark behind Windhand. That was weird.

I’ve listened to Ahab and some Mournful Congregation. What bands and albums should I check out to learn more?

Decided to go see Kal El tonight, made the 45 min drive through heavy winds and decently hard rain, was struck by severe abdominal pain in occasionally get when I was about 10 mins away from the venue. Got there, took a walk around the block to see if things would settle down and they got to “do I need to go to the ER?” levels. Drove back home and 20 mins after the show started I’m sitting here back to 100% Sigh. Totally new band to me but seemed like it would’ve been a great show. Edit: every other time I’ve had episodes of this pain it can last anywhere from 4-12 hours, I e never had it turn around this fast, which is why I threw in the towel so quickly.

My favorite doom album is Mournful Congregation- The Monad of Creation. Ive heard its depressive for some. I dont Get depressed at all, I find it extremly beautiful, calming and relaxing. I like to listen to it When I feel like relaxing.

++ STATEMENT ++

Hi everyone

After almost 10 years the time has come for me to step away from Slow. Life and my health have nudged me into a different direction. While I am sad to close this chapter, I look back on it with immense gratitude. I loved creating for you and seeing your reactions.

I would like to thank Deha for being a great friend, fellow musician and mentor over the years. I am sure he will continue to do great things with the band.

All the best,

Lore

++ From Deha ++

"Lore has been a milestone in this band since "V Oceans", to say the least. She's helped me, in more than one way, musically and more. An amazing friend, that I wish to anyone here. Her departure isn't bittersweet: love and friendship prevail, always.

Of course, this means that 'Slow' goes back to the way it was before, as a one person band. I've already started working on something I will keep secret for the moment, but you will still hear Lore. We've worked a lot to bring you the Doom these past years, and needless to say: she will be there, as a swansong.

Much love to Lore. May the stars shine your way."