NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE: Brief Is The Light (DOOM): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

While the health crisis had a dampening effect on the careers of most bands, others were able to take advantage of the free time the economic downturn gave them to compose. Such is the case of Near Death Experience, whose main composer, Mathieu Bonfardin, admits that the first confinement gave him the opportunity to write his first song, all by himself. Another followed, and so on.

Initially a solo, instrumental project, Near Death Experience was joined in 2022 by other musicians, including a female singer. The style practiced can be defined as gothic doom. Paradise Lost, Draconian, Anathema and The Gathering are just some of the references that "Brief Is The Light" calls upon, minus the male growls usually associated with this genre.

As the name easily suggests, Near Death Experience explores a fantastical universe that inspires this galop d'essai, whose tracks are all cemented by a single story: that of a woman who, a victim of domestic violence, slips into a coma and has near-death experiences while peeling back episodes from her life.

A debut album always calls for a certain benevolence, all the more so when its qualities are obvious. "Brief Is The Light"'s authentic coating, which recaptures the spirit of the '90s, its inspired female vocals and its commendable desire to do a sincere job. The album is not without its faults, however, chief among which is a lack of variety in the compositions, which are sometimes difficult to distinguish from one another.

However, the announced participation of the other musicians in the elaboration of the next album should undoubtedly correct this weakness. And with the writing and execution of this new album, Near Death Experience is sure to gain in interest and value. - Official website

NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE

BRIEF IS THE LIGHT

M-O-MUSIC

DOOM