Engineer extraordinaire and guitarist of Eulogy, Jarrett Pritchard, has an incredible new band out called Pulchra Morte. Pritchard, as our loyal readers will recognize, helmed the controls on the brilliant (and brilliantly sounding) Vengeful Ascension by Goatwhore as well as Exhumed’s Death Revenge and Wolvhammer’s Monuments of Ash and Bone. So when I learned of Pritchard’s newest project, Pulchra Morte, I was genuinely intrigued.
I took a long listen Pulchra Morte’s newest recording, Divina Autem Et Aniles, and immediately loved it. I’ve been listening to it nonstop these past couple of days and the backdrop of my rainy, gloomy daily commute through Pennsylanvia’s rust belt is ever-so-perfect.
This is doom that is done extremely well. Songs like “Shadows from the Cross” have that traditional deep, deep sound, yet also have brilliantly original solos and layered sounds to add to the complexity. And tracks like “Soulstench” give the listener some beautiful and unique vocals.
“Black Ritual” features some classic, punchy, riffing along with some solid lead guitar work. The ninth track, “IX” has intense drum work and a mesmerizing final two and a half minutes that appropriately ends the song. Personally, I think “IX” would be an awesome set closer (hint, hint) – leaving the audience wanting more.”
Guitarists Pritchard (who also handles bass) and Jeffrey Breden have amazing tone. Their work on the opening track “Give No More” features some riffing above a powerful low end that will keep you coming back for more. The record itself, unsurprisingly, sounds incredibly crisp.
Jason Barron, who you may recognize from Bastard and Harkonin is featured on the vocals. Wow! This is, perhaps, the vocal delivery of the year. Just dead solid perfect for this record and the band’s sound. Barron’s enunciation and word shaping is just one of the many distinguishing characteristics that separates Pulchra Morte from the pack.
Eulogy drummer, Clayton Gore does an outstanding performance on the drums and brings it all together.
I’m so glad I discovered this new band as Divinia Autem Et Aniles is truly intoxicating. A well-crafted foray into death and doom. It is just so well done, and, obviously, hits your speakers in a way a heavy, doomy, band like this should. This is, no doubt, going to be on my daily playlist for a heck of a long time.
Pulchra Morte has upcoming dates in the United States:
06/06 @ the legendary Reggie’s in Chicago
06/08 @ the Riot Room in Kansas City
Do go. You’ll regret it if you don’t.
Pulchra Morte’s Divina Autem Et Aniles is out now and available here.
