I chose to omit the Trinity compilation from my list. Not because I don't like or recogonize it (on the contrary). I just didn't want to request being able to include the other EPs / Evinta etc. as well, which I would've wanted to if I had included Trinity. I found it hard enough just ranking the full-lengths
13. The Ghost of Orion (2020)
I know the band's been through a lot these past few years, line up changes, switching labels for the first time in their 30 year career, not to mention what Aaron's experienced in his personal life... But this album seemed a little pedestrian to me. Though I do like Your Broken Shore, the three instrumental / interlude tracks do little for me, so I must say I was disappointed. A very mature and sombre sounding affair, and undoubtedly My Dying Bride. But it's still not grown on me as much as I hoped it would. Hence it sitting at the bottom of my pile ...something had to!
12. 34.788%... Complete (1998)
The departure of violinist Martin Powell and perhaps reaching a point of gothic stagnation unsurprisingly coincides with the sole anomaly of the Bride’s career. A good album which I thoroughly enjoy, unworthy of any of the hate, but the lack of a truly dark atmosphere forces this album towards the bottom of my definitive My Dying Bride list.
11. A Map of All Our Failures (2012)
This is where ranking becomes problematic for me... These next 6 albums are separated by the smallest of margins. A Map of All Our Failures kind of announced a renewed heaviness following Evinta and For Lies I Sire, a real solid slab of doom metal. Kneel till Doomsday is one of their great openers.
10. As the Flower Withers (1992)
Probably the most, or only controversial placing within my list, and one I may sometimes regret a little (I love this album!). I do find it hard to view objectively though. I think a little more sure of itself than what some simply dismiss as a young band trying to find their style. Yet undoubtedly unrefined. The sparse violin adds scatterings of the avant-garde, hinting at the atmosphere which would make the subsequent albums so distinctively classic... Notably features another great opener, Sear Me. One of
the definitive My Dying Bride songs.
9. For Lies I Sire (2009)
An album which I was disappointed with initially, but quickly grew on me more and more. I think the return of the violin after 13 years revitalized the songwriting a little, resulting in the varying styles on this one. Such a slick sounding album, and a great performance from Dan Mullins.
8. Feel the Misery (2015)
The opposite of For Lies I Sire in the sense that this album clicked with me straight away. Not sure how much input Calvin had in the writing process but his return is certainly evident. There's some awesome moments on this one, capturing the band’s essence while simultaneously diversifying their palette of sounds. To Shiver in Empty Halls is a highlight for me. Great artwork, too.
7. Songs of Darkness, Words of Light (2004)
This album has such a dark and oppressive atmosphere that I love. An almost ambient affair, with sporadic moments of spiteful heaviness. Aaron at times sounding among his most vicious - “dreams of filthy lust!”
6. A Line of Deathless Kings (2006)
Kind of a stripped back sound on this album, obviously no violin, the keys are a background feature and Aaron mostly neglects his harsh vocals until the final moments of The Blood, the Wine, the Roses. But the guitarwork really shines and the strength of the riffs make this one memorable for me. And kind of tops what you could call my “2nd tier” albums.
5. The Light at the End of the World (1999)
I guess this marks the beginning of my “top tier” albums. After the experimentation of 34.788%… the band returned with The Light at the End of the World and all but stripped away the ornamentation. Without any violin or many keys, it's more guitar driven, with tons of melodies and intertwining riffs. More conventionally heavy, if you like. That being said with Andy the sole guitarist here, it could be among his crowing achievements because I think it achieves exactly what was desired. Featuring yet again another great opener in She Is The Dark, this album sounds like a band set on making a statement and cementing their already firm place among the doom metal elite.
4. Like Gods of the Sun (1996)
Experiencing some success around this time on Like Gods of the Sun I think they commercialized their sound as far as possible without removing its distinctive elements. Although this album admittedly does eradicate the “death” … making it probably their most listenable and accessible album, a negative if it wasn't packed with such quality.
Disclaimer: The upper echelon of my “top tier”. These three are my very favourites, and for the most part could be interchangeable. (I would've tied them but felt that'd be a bit of a cop out and I wanted to rank them in sequence)
3. Turn Loose the Swans (1993)
From the opening moments this album is a serious artistic statement. It's so much more refined than the debut on every level. Aaron demonstrates an overwhelmingly obvious leap in his vocals, juxtaposing growls with cleans to great affect. Martin becomes a full time member and the violin's subsequently more prominent, which further magnifies the significantly more accomplished and dynamic instrumentalism. A landmark in avant-garde death / doom, and a stone cold classic. Love the artwork too. And that each of the three formats (CD, vinyl and cassette) featured different covers, shows you how much the band considered it an artistic experience.
2. The Angel and the Dark River (1995)
As I said before this and Turn Loose the Swans are kind of interchangeable for me, but I've ranked this one higher as I consider it the archetypal My Dying Bride album (even if Aaron is exclusively clean throughout). With
the great opener, The Cry of Mankind, this album strides into more gothic territories. Drenched in incredible emotion courtesy of Martin's swooning violin and piano passages and Aaron's masterfully dejected crooning. Some of the band's most depressing and atmospheric songs sandwiched between some of my favourite heavy moments in the entire discography. From the massive riff at the end of From Darkest Skies, which is accompanied by some booming drumming and that ominous organ, to the brilliance of a Sea to Suffer In, to the latter stages of Your Shameful Heaven, where Aaron manages to convey malice through clean vocals. Another stone cold classic.
1. The Dreadful Hours (2001)
My personal favourite. And (perhaps not coincidentally) my introduction to the band. This is one I know others may not rank so highly, so I simply had to. It has such a dense texture I find relaxing and cathartic, shifting between bludgeoning ugly heaviness and rich dream-like melodies. Each song flowing together seamlessly as if it were a concept album. A lot of that being down to the keys being so prominent and high in the mix – which helps make this album's haunting atmosphere. Love the lavishly thick production, and there's some monumental riffs on this. Probably Shaun's finest moment in the band too, his fills and drumming in general is excellent throughout. Also maybe in the minority on this but I'm a big fan of Aaron's cover painting. An unusual and unorthodox choice for a metal album cover maybe, but I love it and it just adds to the overall aesthetic.
