Urne are possibly one of the kept secrets in the UK metal scene. Comprised of former members of Hang The Bastard and Anterior the London based trio have unleashed their second full length, A Feast On Sorrow.
Along with being a genre-twisting machine – with their craft incorporating textures and techniques from all ends of the metal spectrum – Urne are also incredibly talented musicians. A Feast On Sorrow encapsulates it perfectly. From the atmospheric opening on ‘The Flood Came Rushing In’, Joe Nally’s robust vocals and Angus Neyra’s furious fretwork work in tandem. James Cook’s drumming ability really punches through as his funky fills and relentless drumming never ceases from start to finish. The genre twisitng Urne are known for are is prominent as ever on this album also. The fusion of sludge & thrash, along with everything else they throw at you during the 50-minute runtime, works wonderfully.
Nally’s vocals just tie the entire album together with his gritty punk-like chords bringing to life the album’s crushing yet awe-inspiring atmosphere that the album cover presents. It’s grey cover and grey insides are only shadowed by the lyrical content. The reality of losing someone in your life isn’t a subject many take upon, but Urne have transferred their feelings of dread, anger and confusion into an epic musical masterpiece that very few have even managed to come close to creating. According to Nally, ‘There aren’t many fun moments’ within the album. While the lyrics are heartfelt and meaningful, you must admit, the instrumental side of the album is phenomenal and on times you find yourself lost in the album.
“Between the sadness and anger, its technical side helps the songs to communicate more with the listener”
Two songs, both at a runtime of 11 minutes, they’re the ones you’ll find yourself lost in. ‘A Stumble Of Words’ is a gut-wrenching riff filled journey through the band’s inner emotions. While album closer ‘The Long Goodbye / Where Do The Memories Go?’ tugs on the heart strings even harder, filling you with the raw emotion Nally mentions having while writing for the record himself. Granted, whilst motifs of pure emotions where present on the band’s fantastic 2021 debut Serpent & Spirit, this record see’s Urne manifesting feelings of loss in way that’s both intimate and overpowering. It’s truly a testament to the dynamism at the crux of Urne’s cablities as musicians, and one that breathes human life into the band’s crushing and ultimately spellbinding take on modern metal.
Within the aformetioned closer ‘The Long Goodbye / Where Do The Memories Go?’, Nally’s vocals tear through you with his gritty vocals changing to his baritone low mumbles as the droning guitar of Neyra creates an almost upsetting atmosphere with even his guitar solo’s sounding like the strings are wailing in pain. It’s a haunting end to the emotionally acrobatic album. Between the sadness and anger, its technical side helps the songs to communicate more with the listener, and with help from the album’s producer, and Gojira frontman Joe Duplantier, it creates more of an attachment than just another album. Urne may possibly be a a name you may not have heard before, but after the release of A Feast On Sorrow, Urne will be a name you’ll become extremely familiar with.