My Dying Bride - The Barghest O’ Whitby (CD Review)

01.The Barghest O' Whitby

Aaron Stainthorpe (Vocals)
Andrew Craighan (Guitar)
Hamish Glencross (Guitar)
Lena Abe (Bass)
Shaun Talyor-Steel (Drums)
Shaun Macgowan (Violin/Keyboards)


My Dying Bride were formed in Bradford in the north of England in June 1990 and along with Paradise Lost and Anathema became 3 of the most important and influencial bands from the north of England cutting a unique mix of Goth/Doom and Metal.

Now this track is 27 minutes long and has as its subject matter the "Barghest".
This is the name given here in Yorkshire to a legendary monstrous black dog with huge teeth and claws, though in other cases the name can refer to a ghost or Household elf, especially in Northumberland and Durham.One is said to frequent a remote gorge named Troller's Gill.
There is also a story of a Barghest entering the city of York occasionally, where, according to legend, it preys on lone travellers in the city's narrow Snickelways. Whitby is also associated with the spectre.
A famous Barghest was said to live near Darlington who was said to take the form of a headless man (who would vanish in flames), a headless lady, a white cat, a dog, rabbit and black dog. Another was said to live in an "uncannie-looking" dale between Darlington and Houghton, near Throstlenest.

The song is seen from the dogs perspective, brilliantly poetic : "It is my sins that you deplore, Count them fair, For i have more.To my mouth i carry you, In crimson teet, the breath i drew", is just one example.

The music is just as well constructed and thoughtout, often when bands go for these long songs they end up being 4 or 5 smaller songs put together with a recurring riff or hook, this however is indeed one complete piece.

The howling winds introduce us to doomy guitar and violin and awesome vocals.
Quite a fast drum rhythm is pounded out on the pedals, while the guitar keeps it simple with powerchords, back to great violin break, towards the end it gets very heavy as well.

RATING : 10/10
For Fans Of : Cathedral, Tryptikon, Paradise Lost, Anathema.