"Part III - The Bodiless" (Bonebag Records/Majestic Mountain Records) is Cavern Deep's third album and also the final instalment of the conceptual story that began with the release of their self-titled debut album. Those already invested in this story will know that what began as a somewhat Lovecraftian tale with "Cavern Deep" took a turn for the metaphysical on second album "Part II - Breach" and "Part III - The Bodiless" continues along much the same path. As we did with our review for "Breach" Desert Psychlist will concentrate mostly on the music gracing "Part III- The Bodiless" rather than trying too dive too deep into its concept, this is partly because concepts are subjective beasts and partly because what is basically a humble music review would be in danger of turning into a full blown novel.
The final chapter of Cavern Deep's sprawling doomic trilogy begins with "Bodiless" a low tuned and lurchingly atmospheric opus that sees bassist/vocalist Max Malmer; guitarist/vocalist Kenny Oswald Dufvenberg, drummer/vocalist Dennis Sjödin and synth maestro Johannes Behndig being joined by Slomatics Marty Harvey, Harvey's powerful, distinctive vocal tones combining with those of his fellow contributors to add an air of majesty to what is in essence a thrumming doomic dirge. "Queen Womb" follows, here we have the entity that first came into being at the end of first album "Cavern Deep" facing down the first of a series of foes, this one described as a "beacon of pleasure and pain" who wears a gown "spun of endless night", the ensuing conflict played out to a backdrop of dank dark groove that is constantly swelling and dissipating and is decorated in a mix of vocals that alternate between low throaty croons and choral-like harmonies. With the Queen dealt with the Bodiless then confronts another adversary this one going by the name "Putrid Sentry", musically this song sits in the canon of stoner doom but on its journey touches base with both epic and traditional dooms as well as some elements that might be considered spacious and post metallic, vocals here are a powerful mix of lead and joint harmonies with those harmonies having a choral-like quality, something that is particularly effective in ramping up the songs foreboding atmospherics. Next up is "Moskstraumen", a song featuring the skills of saxophonist extraordinaire Martin Ludl, here we find the now slightly worse for wear Bodiless using the last of its reserves to take on its final foe and as befitting for a final boss fight the songs musical dynamic is a little more strident and forceful. The vocals here are sublimely powerful and the musicianship top notch with Malmer's bass and Sjödin's drums laying down a near perfect platform of dank thrumming groove for Behndig to enhance with luscious synth textures and Dufvenberg to decorate with crunching chord work and swirling lead. Penultimate number "Galaxies Collide" finds the Bodiless having achieved its aims now dissolving into nothingness, low key yet at the same time huge and majestic the song musically has the feel of a lament yet there are no regrets or sadness in its lyrical content just feelings of resignation and acceptance. All the best stories have a twist in their tail and Cavern Deep close their trilogy with a doozy of a twist in "Full Circle" a soaring and atmospheric semi instrumental piece that sees our not so friendly neighbourhood entity finding itself returning to flesh and bone back on the very mountain its journey started out from.
Waiting for "Part III - The Bodiless" to drop has been somewhat like waiting on your favourite writer to publish the next instalment of an ongoing saga or looking forward to the release of a new season of a much loved tv franchise, you know its coming but the wait seems unbearable. There are times however when those books or tv shows do not quite live up to the expectations we have placed upon them but thankfully that is not the case here. Cavern Deep have delivered with part three of their trilogy everything we hoped they would, an album of well thought out, well structured and superbly played songs wrapped around a complex story that has at times been confusing but at all times has been totally engrossing. "Part III - The Bodiless" is the final stop on what has been a fantastic musical journey, let's just hope it is not the last journey these guys decide take us on.
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