THE OLD DEAD TREE

The End SEASON OF MIST

Gothic metallers exhume the past with a mixed final EP

Though plagued by personal tragedy, this French outfit carved out a distinct niche in their short time together, fusing melancholy Peaceville Records-style doom with melodic, catchy indie pop – sort of like both eras of Anathema coexisting. This posthumous EP demonstrates both the highs and lows of their sound; opener Sorry hits the sweet spot between moody alternative rock and gothic, moribund doom, like a fusion of A Perfect Circle and latter-day Paradise Lost, while closer The End Again seasons its gloomy celestial splendour with very tasteful pinch harmonics. Unfortunately,

Kids is less successful, with its ill-advisedly jangly indie rock verses sitting uncomfortably next to the metallic riffs surrounding, like Razorlight and Katatonia glaring at each other while stuck in a lift. Despite its strengths, The End feels more like a bonus curio for fans rather than a definitive epilogue for the band’s career. ■■■■■■■■■■

FOR FANS OF: Anathema, Woods Of Ypres, Novembre KEZ WHELAN