Dun Ringill – Library of Death

Dun Ringill

Library of Death

Argonauta Records

Doom Metal

FFO: Candemass, Pentagram, Saint Vitus, Trouble, Jethro Tull, Black Sabbath

It is strange to think that it has only a year has passed since Dun Ringill released ‘Wecome’ their excellent debut album. Therefore, anticipation was high when it was announced that the Swedish doomsters would be back this year with their sophomore album ‘Library of Death’.

                With only a year break between albums, it is hardly surprising that ‘Library of Death’ picks up near enough exactly where ‘Welcome’ left off. However, a year has given Dun Ringill some extra mojo it seems and ‘Library of Death’ takes that formula lain down on the previous album and expands it with some ferocious riffing and hammering beats with tracks such as ‘NBK’ and the title track showing just how much Dun Ringill have tweaked an already strong formula. Yet, just like the previous album, it is not the doom here which wins over the fans and whilst the Candlemass is strong with Dun Ringill, the crowning glory of ‘Library of Death’ is the addition of frantic flute playing which takes this album into another zone entirely. This area is one tinged in psychedelia, a schizophrenic lunar episode that gives the listener a glimpse of what Jethro Tull would sound like if they joined Candlemass or Pentagram for a jam that was hugely under the influence.

                All this makes ‘Library of Death’ one of the more interesting doom releases of the year and any fan of the genres collection of 2020 doom would be lacking integrity without this album.

Adam McCann