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Most fans on MDB's website gave A Pale Shroud of Longing the ep's highest marks, while people were decidedly mixed on the title track. Since you spoke most of the title track I assume it made the biggest impression on you. I agree. The way the song manages to weave in the violin and hanging clean guitar displays how good they can be at showcasing in catchy, almost pop sensibilities. The last two minutes are mature brilliance, that Opethian ending (glad you picked up on it too) was a pleasant surprise. Var Gud was hyped as the 'death metal song' and while it isn't quite that aggressive, it does the job very nicely. The lyrics are good too--reminded me a bit of King Stannis from Game of Thrones (especially once he marches North and Winter comes), and Pale Shroud is just MDB at their mature best.

I still want another Barghest O'Whitby, but they are so locked into their slightly softer style now that it doesn't bother me that a return to the Barghest sound is unlikely.

Thanks for the review.

No prob! Hoping to cover some of the MDB spaces on the site in coming weeks too.

Agree with everything else you said, too. Another B'OW would be great, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's another EP in a few years at best - they might feel that that adequately covered that side to them and want to push onwards/sideways with the current style. Which is fine by me, obviously.

We agree on a few of our favorite bands. One is Rush and we can add My Dying Bride to that list. I'm pretty sure there are a couple more. I don't think you like Amorphis like I do though. Anyway, I think My Dying Bride is a very special band. Every album is an experience. I haven't got this yet, but I will definitely pick it up soon. Oh yeah, and Barghest O'Whitby is one of my favorite EP's ever. Right up there with Cosmic Requiem.

I do like Amorphis, just not very familiar with their back catalogue and never seem to manage to hear new releases from them properly. Definitely a name on the list to hear properly...

I'm not a huge Amorphis fan, but their third album Elegy, despite being somewhat pompous and cheesy, does the trick every time. Parts of it sound a bit like mid period Paradise Lost.