Her Despair – Exorcisms Of Eroticism

London based Her Despair are back with their third release Exorcisms of Eroticism.  They combine pagan and symphonic metal with guitar based Goth to create nuggets of melodramatic adventure.  I found it easy to be immersed in the atmospheric sound of the six varied tracks, often with the music taking me on a different journey to the lyrics creating an EP that grows with every listen.

Right from the start of the opening track Pandaemoniun we get an understanding on what the band are about, and the journey we are about to travel on.  With a heavy guitar sound, keyboards, deep vocals and a rhythm that is almost Celtic in places it sounds pagan combined with Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride and 13 Candles. 

Pandaemoniun feels like a swaying gothic sea shanty.  An epic journey across the sea with the rough waves washing overboard. It has thumping drums and more of a hint of Rammstein.  Second track The Exorcism has a more upbeat sound and gallops along nicely.  Drawing further in, mesmerising with the sound akin to Within Temptation or Inkubus Sukkubs with a male singer with hints of The 69 Eyes.  In That Moment is a bar ballad and musically brings to mind Vikings or Hobbits swinging tankards about in a Tavern as the stars fall. Nursing their broken hearts as their hopes go down with the moon.

Like A Crucifixion makes you feel like flailing your arms about with its lively danceable chorus, something you cannot do with your wrists nailed to a cross.  It combines late 80’s Goth with a modern symphonic sound.  Beyond The Vail is a quietly growing, brooding song that sounds like been on top of a windy hill, shovelling earth into a grave.  Final Rest is musically lighter and more uplifting with a deep vocal reminiscent of Nick Cave.  It has a broken up midsection, part Sinnergod and part progressive rock that leads to an anthemic, dramatic final minute and a fine closer to the E.P.

With Exorcisms of Eroticism, Her Despair has created a wonderful atmospheric EP with songs full of both hope and despair, which is enchanting and hypnotic and more rewarding with each listen.

Track Listing: 1. Pandaemonium,  2. The Exorcism,  3. In That Moment,  4. Like a Crucifixion,  5. Beyond The Veil,  6. Final Rest

Her Despair are:

J – vocals

Dan – guitar

Vikki – bass

Jord – guitar

Lee – drums

Toby – keys

The E.P. can be preordered on CD or download from the below link:

https://herdespair.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/herdespair/