Sorrow released an EP and full-length on Roadrunner more than 30 years ago and then splintered into the winds. The band's clean fusion of death metal and doom was ahead of its time. And while other metal bands staked out progressive political positions (I see you, Obituary!), Andy Marchione's vocals were actually intelligible, thus making it easier to get the point. Sorrow's sludgy take on early 90s death metal was refreshing and exhilarating. I love those two sets.

Sorrow Death of Sorrow (Xtreem Music)

And now the band is (mostly) back together. This sounds like it could have been recorded and released in 1993, which is impressive. Those who wondered where the current slate of experimental doom and metal bands might have found inspiration should start here. No one sounded quite like this back then, but plenty have tread this path since. Given that, I would forgive folks for wondering why Sorrow hasn't caught up with the times.

That question does hang over this album. I saw a mention that these songs were actually written decades ago for the abandoned second full-length. That would make sense. Or, if that's not the case, maybe the guys just wanted to immerse themselves in past glory. Either way, this fits exceptionally well next to those early works.

But this still resides in the stone age. I'm sure that the album will have its greatest appeal to those of us who remember those dark days. The lucky kids today who are experiencing easily the most vibrant period in the history of loud music will likely wonder what the fuss is all about. I've got my feet in both buckets. For me, though, it's great to hear more Sorrow. I dove into the grind fully realizing that I was on a nostalgia trip. An illuminating window on a time long passed.

Jon Worley