Golgotha continues to write its legend.
Created in Spain in 1992, the band released two albums, then stopped in 1998. In 2005, Vicente J. Paya (guitar, Bisonte, Unbounded Terror) revives the band, but the adventure does not last. It will be necessary to wait until 2014 for a real return, and in 2022 with Tomeu Crespi (drums, Hyde XXI), Andrew Spinosa (bass, Unbounded Terror, In War), María J. Lladó (vocals, Bisonte) and Miriam Vallés (vocals), the band announces the release of Mors Diligentis, its fifth album.
The album begins with My Burden, a composition which remains in the line of the previous releases, letting Doom/Death roots express themselves. The two vocalists take turns to give relief to the slow and haunting riffs before letting Our Trust Betrayed offers a slightly more aggressive sound. Majestic samples make the track darker, and vocal parts coupled with the hypnotic leads confirm it, leaving for example more room for growl before a very soft final, then Farewell Humanity gives a feeling of oppression with a heavy rhythmic. Again, saturated vocals are very present over heavy riffs, leaving plaintive and melancholic parts to clean vocals, but the long track will leave us for Waiting For My Death to speed the tempo up. Double kick coupled with massive screams is extremely effective, as well as this soothing break which creates a striking contrast with heavier parts until the final precipitates us towards nothingness, then towards Unconditional Love, a rather melodic composition but which still remains disturbing. The refined rhythmic leaves a bitter and miserable taste while richer parts slowly bewitch us just like Alone in the Dark which reveals faster and especially rougher riffs. The clean voice always comes to soften the most visceral elements which come back coupled with ambient samples on Viper Tongue, a very balanced and accessible track. The song remains quite dark and majestic, letting rhythmic changes give riffs a rather heavy taste, then the band closes its album with We the Demons, a disturbing composition during the first moments which will eventually reveal epic tones before welcoming a striking and inspired vocal duet.
The rebirth of Golgotha is a great thing for the universe of Melodic Doom/Death. Inspired by the heaviest and most melancholic roots, Mors Diligentis puts the band at the level of the style’s best ones, and it won’t be long before they can prove it on stage as well.
85/100