Despite a few hiatuses over the years, the French death metal band MORGUE has been active since 1997, solidifying their status as one of the scene’s veterans.
Five full-length albums, three split releases, and two EPs are included in their discography. The Polish label Godz Ov War Productions released their most recent album, Close To Complete Darkness, in May 2024. It consists of nine tracks that have a combined duration of approximately thirty-three minutes.
It’s evident from the opening track that MORGUE is made up of seasoned musicians. The first track, “Upon The Altar,” hooks the listener in with a blend of vintage, groovy, and diverse death metal.
In addition, the album has atmospheric components that give the sound, which is generally rich and pleasing, more depth and individuality. To avoid feeling monotonous, there could be more variation in the vocals, though.
“Doorways In Crimson Red” keeps up the momentum by striking a balance between catchy interludes and powerful riffs to keep the listener interested. The song “Blemish” begins with a dramatic intro before moving into a more melodic and somber tone.
The record is kept lively and interesting by the lengths of the tracks. Another standout track is “Sacrificial Blood,” which sees the band go for a rawer sound at first before reverting to their signature sound halfway through. This pattern is followed for the duration of the album, and although it gets cliched toward the finish, death metal fans will still find a lot of fun with it.
