TODOMAL – GRAVEYARDS OF JOY

'Mare Ignis' opens the album with ominous electronic pulses, sweeping strings, and atmospheric synths that intertwine with rugged guitar work to create a grand and melodic introduction. As the track unfolds, TODOMAL builds a dense, slow-moving wall of sound that feels both suffocating and majestic, enriched by soaring melodies and an immense sense of atmosphere. The arrival of a haunting choir further expands the song’s cinematic scope before the clean, narrative-driven vocals take center stage. Delivered with warmth and conviction, they lend the track with a deep sense of melancholy and longing, making for a captivating opening statement. 'Lucid Nightmare' follows with another slow-building yet grand introduction. The dual vocal passages in the opening moments evoke memories of ALICE IN CHAINS, adding an unexpected layer to the song’s doom-laden foundation. Throughout its runtime, TODOMAL weaves atmospheric melodies, heavy driving riffs, and subtle folk influences into a richly textured soundscape. Supported by measured drumming that steadily carries the composition forward, the track unfolds with a hypnotic quality, inviting the listener to become completely immersed in its melancholic and expansive atmosphere. 'Misericordiah' takes a different approach from the outset. Reverb-drenched percussion echoes through the opening moments, creating the impression of sounds resonating through a vast, shadowy cavern. Gradually, TodoMal introduced more folk-tinged elements, from delicate melodies to evocative guitar lines, all while maintaining the album’s prevailing sense of melancholy and longing. The clean vocals are delivered with remarkable restraint and care, as though every word carries a fragile weight that could shatter if pushed too far, lending the track a particularly intimate and emotional character.

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'Deliverance' offers perhaps the clearest glimpse into the cultural roots that shape TODOMAL. Closing your eyes, it is easy to imagine sunlit Spanish streets from another era, filled with musicians and wandering melodies. The track gradually blossoms from a quieter passage into a sweeping display of epic guitar work and powerful drumming, all carried by a strong sense of yearning. The vocals grow increasingly weighty as the song progresses, culminating in a heavier, more expansive finale where additional vocal layers deepen the emotional impact. It is a piece that reaches beyond mere atmosphere and connects directly with the listener’s emotions. 'For Mercy' serves as a thoughtful bridge toward the album’s conclusion. Carefully placed melodic guitar lines form the heart of the composition, supported by ethereal synth textures that lend the track a dreamlike quality. The melancholic atmosphere recalls the introspective side of Katatonia, while TODOMAL maintains a steady sense of forward motion through subtle drumming and rich instrumental interplay. There is a palpable feeling that the album is preparing for its final chapter, making 'For Mercy' both reflective and quietly powerful. And then comes the finale. The title track, 'Graveyards of Joy', brings the album’s journey to a fitting close. From the outset, TODOMAL embraces a darker and heavier tone, with more distorted guitar work cutting through the mix while the familiar slow, crushing drums continue to anchor the song. Ethereal choir arrangements linger in the background, adding to the track’s haunting atmosphere. It is a piece steeped in sorrow and reflection, yet never devoid of beauty. The vocals hang over the composition like a gathering shadow, carrying the emotional weight of the album through to the closing moments, where layered voices unite for a powerful and moving finale that provides a memorable conclusion to both the song and the record.

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With "Graveyards of Joy", TODOMAL delivers an album that is as emotionally resonant as it is musically compelling. Blending doom metal, folk influences, and expansive atmospherics, the duo craft a record steeped in melancholy, grief, and quiet beauty. Patiently unfolding and rich in detail, Graveyards of Joy rewards attentive listening and stands as a worthy conclusion to the band's ambitious trilogy.

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SCORE 9/10

REVIEWED BY SWAMPY