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This is my first album of "new" music from Virginia's While Heaven Wept, having only recently been introduced to their unique, epic Doom Metal. While Heaven Wept are a band of contradictions, being both easy to get into because of their superb sense of melody, while offering many different, subtle layers to their songwriting that demand time to fully appreciate. Guitarist Tom Phillips and crew have also mastered the art of being both melancholic and uplifting at the same time. This is music that sucks you in and stays with you long after the album ends.

Fear of Infinity is a logical progression from 2007's Vast Oceans Lachrymose. Matching the previous album's majestic sounds, emotional vocal work of Rain Irving and densely crushing riffs, Fear of Infinity also sees the band branching out in their songwriting. "Hour of Reprisal" features some of the only double-kick drumming you're likely to hear in Doom Metal, yet While Heaven Wept incorporate it flawlessly into their overall sound. It sounded odd to me at first, but by the second spin, it made perfect sense as an album opener. The massive "Destroyer of Solace" clocks in at a mere 2:40, surely one of the shortest songs in While Heaven Wept's catalog, and something different for a band known for its longer compositions. The songs "To Grieve Forever" and "Saturn and Sacrifice" work together to build emotions from a trickle to a flood to a deluge. "Unplenitude" is a ballad as hauntingly beautiful as you're likely to hear in all Heavy Metal. 11+ minute close "Finality" is classic While Heaven Wept. It starts out slowly, gradually building to a huge crescendo that will have you wondering how 11 minutes went by so fast for such a slow song.

I am afraid that my words are woefully inadequate in conveying the experience of listening to Fear of Infinity. Do not fear the label of Doom Metal. While Heaven Wept adhere to no convenient categorizations. They simply play some of the best Heavy Metal in existence. Own this.