Procession – A Melodic Epic Blending Symphonic Grandeur and Doom Metal’s Crushing Weight

Emerging from the fertile sonic landscape of the late 1980s, “Procession,” a cornerstone track from British doom metal pioneers My Dying Bride, exemplifies the genre’s transition towards a more epic and melancholic sound. Released on their seminal 1992 album As The Flower Withers, this haunting composition transcends the typical tropes of heavy metal, weaving together threads of classical music, gothic ambiance, and crushing heaviness into a tapestry that is as beautiful as it is devastating.
My Dying Bride’s genesis can be traced back to the musical vision of vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe and guitarist Andrew Craighan, who shared a passion for the introspective and melancholic side of heavy metal. Their early demos showcased a raw and powerful sound reminiscent of pioneering doom bands like Candlemass and Saint Vitus, but it was with As The Flower Withers that they truly found their voice.
“Procession” opens with an ethereal acoustic guitar melody, delicately picking out a mournful theme against a backdrop of atmospheric synthesizer washes. This serene introduction establishes the song’s somber mood, foreshadowing the emotional journey to come. As the guitars gradually intensify and drums enter the fray, the listener is drawn into a swirling vortex of sound. Stainthorpe’s vocals, deep and resonant, weave tales of loss and despair, his lyrics imbued with poetic imagery that evokes a sense of gothic romanticism.
The song’s structure is dynamic and captivating, shifting seamlessly between sections of crushing heaviness and moments of breathtaking melodic beauty. A recurring motif – a haunting melody played on acoustic guitar – serves as a unifying thread throughout the piece, returning at key moments to underscore the emotional core of the song. This masterful interplay between contrasting elements is one of the hallmarks of My Dying Bride’s music.
My Dying Bride, unlike many of their doom metal contemporaries, embraced orchestral textures and classical influences. This unique approach set them apart from the pack, attracting listeners who appreciated the genre’s darker side but craved a more sophisticated and emotionally resonant sound. “Procession” exemplifies this tendency perfectly. Listen closely, and you’ll hear strings and horns subtly woven into the mix, adding layers of depth and grandeur to the sonic tapestry.
The song’s middle section features an extended instrumental passage that showcases the band’s technical prowess. Guitars trade intricate melodies, building towards a climactic crescendo that explodes with raw power. The drums pound relentlessly, driving the music forward with an inexorable force. Yet, amidst this maelstrom of sound, there are moments of delicate beauty – a soaring guitar solo that evokes a sense of longing and yearning, for example, or a fleeting passage where the acoustic guitar motif returns, offering a moment of respite from the storm.
A Deeper Dive into “Procession”: A Breakdown by Instrument
Instrument | Role in the Song |
---|---|
Vocals (Aaron Stainthorpe) | Conveys a sense of melancholic grandeur and storytelling through deep, resonant vocals. The lyrics evoke gothic imagery and themes of loss and despair. |
Guitars (Andrew Craighan, Calvin Robertshaw) | Provide both crushing heaviness and melodic beauty. Riffs shift between mournful doom metal passages and soaring lead lines. Acoustic guitar plays a recurring mournful melody that acts as a unifying theme throughout the song. |
Bass Guitar (Rick Miah) | Adds depth and texture to the rhythm section, anchoring the song’s complex dynamics. |
Drums (Shaun Steels) | Powers the music with driving rhythms, ranging from crushing blast beats to intricate fills. The drumming contributes significantly to the song’s dynamic shifts. |
“Procession” concludes with a gradual fade-out, leaving the listener in a state of contemplative silence. It’s a powerful and emotional piece of music that showcases the full range of My Dying Bride’s creative vision.
The track cemented My Dying Bride’s place as one of the leading figures in the doom metal genre. Its innovative blend of traditional doom elements with symphonic and gothic influences paved the way for countless other bands who followed in their footsteps. “Procession,” along with As The Flower Withers remains a seminal work within the realm of doom metal, continuing to inspire and captivate listeners decades after its initial release.