Harvest - For the Souls We Have Lost Review
By: NamelessN00b_606
Metalheads, ever wondered why nostalgia is such a driving force in contemporary metal? It's worth exploring its roots. The term 'nostalgia' is a fascinating blend of post-classical Latin and ancient Greek, combining 'nostos', meaning 'return home', and '-algia', signifying 'pain'. In the 18th century, when it entered English, it described a pathologized form of homesickness. If you're longing for the gothic doom metal of the 1990s, then 'For the Souls We Have Lost' by Harvest might be your ticket to musical home. This Italian quintet pays homage to bands like My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost, and Katatonia, aiming to evoke a unique 'stalg salve' with its own distinct fragrance.
The album's core is a tribute to the barebones, Sabbathian riffs, reminiscent of My Dying Bride's revival of Sabbath on 'The Angel and the Dark River'. Vocally, Emanuele's style mirrors Aaron Stainthorpe's, blending clean and extreme registers seamlessly. The interplay between Emanuele and guitarist Fabio Torresan is simple yet effective, incorporating gothy croons, Iommian phrases, and macabre growls, particularly on the track 'Floating Leaves'.
Matteo Gandolfi's contribution adds depth to the album, playing keyboards and incorporating synthetic strings, choirs, and horns, enhancing the gloomy atmosphere. This production style, especially on 'The Path of Life', creates a refreshing openness, transporting listeners to a 1997 graveyard poetry reading, with Paradise Lost's Gothic and Katatonia's 'Brave Murder Day' as the soundtrack.
However, the album's simplicity sometimes holds it back. The main riffs in 'Hunter of Souls' and 'Shining Moon' could benefit from more variation. In terms of songwriting, the inclusion of clean or acoustic guitar breaks in the middle of most tracks ('Floating Leaves', 'Hunter of Souls', 'Shining Moon') is a common doom metal approach, but it becomes a predictable pattern. These sections also raise concerns about the dryness of non-distorted guitar tones, which can be a challenge for immersion.
The vocals, while elevating the songs at times, present their own set of challenges. On the clean side, Emanuele's mid-range croon delivers memorable hooks on tracks like 'Floating Leaves' and 'Hunter of Souls'. However, in other instances, the clean vocals don't quite hit the mark. The verse in 'In Shape of Beast' features melodic jumps that are somewhat catchy but don't blend well with the supporting music. Similarly, the a cappella vocals in 'Shining Moon' waver instead of commanding attention. The inconsistency in vocal delivery across songs is notable, with 'Born Alone' setting a flat tone that contrasts with the rest of the album's satisfying, Stainthropean inflections.
For fans of 90s gothic doom, 'For the Souls We Have Lost' is likely to be a comforting listen, offering a reasonable 37-minute runtime. However, for those who find the subgenre more esoteric, the album might fall short. The retro production, while charming, may not evoke nostalgia as effectively, and the inconsistencies could hinder full immersion. Despite these minor drawbacks, Harvest has successfully captured the essence of their influences, and it's hoped that their follow-up will build upon these strengths to develop a unique identity.
Rating: 2.0/5.0
DR: 11 | Format Reviewed: V0 mp3
Label: Octopus Rising Records (sub-label of Argonauta Records)
Website: harvest-doom.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/harvestdoom
Releases Worldwide: September 26th, 2025
