This is one of those bands that I could wait an eternity for in order to hear new material from them. Illimitable Dolor is one of those bands that didn’t get my full love with their debut album, but it was absolutely gorgeous, tragic, and heavy all wrapped into four tracks, and I knew it was but the tip of the iceberg. The experience behind these talented musicians was too great for Illimitable Dolor to have reached their peak with the first album, and it’s with their sophomore effort that we see this band become much more on just about every level.

The debut album was one of the most expressive pieces of doom that I had ever heard in my life at that point, and it’s grandeur still stands the test of a few years as it holds up amazingly well. But, like I said, I knew there was much more to be had with Illimitable Dolor than just four tracks, and it was last year that we got a tease but it’s over a year after that tease that our patience has been well rewarded with the macabre beauty of “Leaden Light”. Just the first track alone is enough to woo me with Illimitable Dolor showing a grand maturation on every layer of their music from the breath-taking and emotive atmosphere, the heaviness that feels much more fleshed out, and the emphasis of the union between death and doom metal that’s constantly at play here to make every morsel of “Leaden Light” something to tremble before as well as gaze upon with pure wonder. I can’t stress how potent all of that is here with the five tracks “Leaden Light” presents to us, and I couldn’t have asked for anything better from this truly exceptional act that’s a clear cut above the rest. The whole of the record a true epitome through the aching of the soul while still accomplishing to discover the little slivers of hope and the drive to live in the darkness even as it’s all but supremely oppressive.

Everything about what Illimitable Dolor has called forth for “Leaden Light” is quite possibly nothing short of unique perfection as it’s everything I could’ve asked for and so much more from this act! I’ve always stated that patience is a virtue, and waiting for this release was one of the best decisions in all of doom that I’ve made in a while, and I can’t express how grand and superb it is to hear “Leaden Light” in all of its glory. Truly, one of the apexes of doom in recent time and anyone who enjoys their doom heavy and emotional all the way will find nothing but happiness here.

“Leaden Light” releases on March 20th via Transcending Obscurity Records!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Leaden Light” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Illimitable Dolor on Facebook here.