Monday, April 25, 2022

ERIC WAGNER - In The Lonely Light of Mourning review



ERIC WAGNER - In The Lonely Light of Mourning

Cruz Del Sur Music


In the summer of 2021 the Doom Metal universe lost one of it's greatest voices. Eric Wagner the singer/frontman of TROUBLE, The SKULL and BLACKFINGER passed away in August of that year. If you were into his music then you know his passing was a major loss. He will not be forgotten by us fans. This solo album he did was completed and delivered to the label a month before his untimely death. It was supposed to come out in November 2021 but the release date was moved to March 2022.

 

From what I've read this solo album was very important to Eric. It was a work in progress for a number of years. He brought in friends/former band mates from the Doom metal community to help out. As far as they go you've got drummer Dave Snyder from TROUBLE and BLACKFINGER. Dave was also co-writer on a number of these tunes. Then there's guitarist Chuck Robinson also from TROUBLE, BLACKFINGER and the THE SKULL. Bassist Sean McAllister from TROUBLE. Bassist Ron Holzner who was also in TROUBLE and the SKULL. Also there's Victor Griffin from PENTAGRAM. 

 

Listening to this, now a posthumous release, was kinda tough since Eric hasn't even been gone for a year. To make matters worse there are too many songs that reference death. Sure it's doom but some songs just cut too close to the reality of Eric's passing. For example opener "Rest in Piece" is a great song in the whole TROUBLE /THE SKULL tradition. But damm it hits ya. Obviously most of this album is filled with material which will appeal to long time fans. There's only a few cuts which take on a melancholy approach. "If You Lost It All" with cello player Brian Gaona almost sounds like Bowie. The title cut follows suit in it's mournful approach. It's also a highlight of the album.


In The Lonely Light of Mourning is an amazing release and sadly the last one of original material we'll ever hear again from Eric Wagner. 


https://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/store/

LISTEN HERE:

https://ericwagner.bandcamp.com/album/wagner-in-the-lonely-light-of-mourning


 

No comments: