Of Empires Forlorn was:
Composed By: Tom Phillips, except “Voice In The Wind” - original composition by Klaus Hess with new material by Tom Phillips, and “Epistle No.81” – traditional Swedish hymn by Carl Michael Bellman. “Soulsadness” includes a piano elaboration based upon Jake Bodnar’s “Forever”
Arranged By: Tom Phillips
Co-arranged By: Jim Hunter
Performed By: Jason Gray – Drums
Jim Hunter – Bass
Scott Loose – Guitars
Tom Phillips – Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
with contributions from:
Kevin “131” Gutierrez – Samples, Editing, and Effects
Michelle Loose – Additional Keyboards
Jake Bodnar – Additional Keyboards
Recorded By: Kevin 131 at Assembly Line Studios in Vienna, Virginia between February 2002 and June 2003
Produced By: Kevin 131, Tom Phillips, and Jim Hunter
Mastered By: Bill Wolf at Wolf Productions Inc., Falls Church, Virginia in December 2002 and July 2003
Executive Producers for the Cruz Del Sur Music re-pressing: Tom Phillips and Enrico Leccesse
Band Photography: Ben Kelly, Jason Gray, Jessica Hunter
Original Cover Art: The Enigma, Gustave Doré (1832-1883), Musee D’Orsay, Paris, France. Out of copyright.
Art Concept By: Jim Hunter and Tom Phillips
Band Logo by: Tamara Abarzua
Graphics, Digital Treatments, and Layout By: Jim Hunter
Website Design and Maintenance: Stergiani Motsiou
All Songs Copyright 2002, 2010 Vast Music Lachrymose, except “Voice In The Wind” copyright 1977 Jane, arrangement 2002, 2010 Vast Music Lachrymose, “Epistle No.81,” traditional, arrangement copyright 2002, 2010 Vast Music Lachrymose, and “Sorrow Of The Angels” copyright 1994, 2002, 2010 Vast Music Lachrymose
Band Websites: www.whileheavenwept.com, www.whileheavenwept.net, www.myspace.com/whileheavenwept
* Originally released on Rage Of Achilles Records in 2003 (2500 copies pressed only)
* Out-of-print since the demise of Rage Of Achilles in 2004
* Features updated cover art, new pictures, and liner notes
* One of the most highly regarded releases of 2003
* Includes "The Drowning Years," "Soulsadness," and "Voice In The Wind"
Tracklist:
1. The Drowning Years (5:41)
2. Of Empires Forlorn (7:49)
3. Voice in the Wind (6:25)
4. In Aeturnum (7:30)
5. Soulsadness (7:24)
6. Epistle No. 81 (3:24)
7. Sorrow of the Angels (4:47)
8. From Empires To Oceans (7:25)
Release Date: January 29th, 2010
Reviews and Quotes:
9/10 - Rock Hard Magazine #202 (Germany)
9.5/10 - DarkScene.at (Austria)
13/13 - Monolith Webzine (Greece)
5/5 - Blooddawn.de (Germany)
8.5/10 - Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles (Canada)
4.8/5 - Metal Ireland (Ireland)
6/6 - Grinder Magazine (Chile)
4/5 -Metal Judgement (USA)
9/10 ¬- Metal Observer.com (Germany)
5/5 ¬- Metal Crypt.com (US)
8.5/10 ¬ Terrorizer Magazine #112 (UK)
10/10 - Obliveon.de (Germany)
9.25/10 ¬- Canarias Oculto (Spain/Canary Islands)
7.4/10 - Metalbite.com (US)
9/10 - Imperiumi.net (Finland)
7.5/10 - Silent Scream.com (Italy)
99/100 - Vibrations Of Doom #36 (US)
84/100 - Lords Of Metal.nl (Netherlands)
8/10 - Metalmaniacs.it (Italy)
4/5 - Let's Make Some Noise.com (Finland)
9/10 - Revelationz.net (Denmark)
9/10 - Underground Empire.de (Germany)
4/5 K - Kerrang #981 (UK)
9/10 - Powerlord.tk (Norway)
85/100 - Metal Reviews.com
83/100 - Concrete Web (Belgium)
8.5/10 - Defenders Of Steel (Italy)
10/10 - TMS (Romania)
9.5/10 - Metalglory.de (Germany)
9/10 - Blistering.com (US)
10/10 - Underground Zine Scene (US)
4.5/5 - Walls Of Fire.de (Germany)
9/10 - Metal.de (Germany)
8.5/10 - Metalstorm.ee
8/10 - Terrorizer Magazine #114 (UK)
8/10 - Terrorizer Magazine #115 (UK)
4/5 - Hard N Heavy Magazine (France)
6/6 - Power Packer Zine (USA)
9.5/10 - Metalworks Magazine (Ireland)
85/100 - Metal Archives.com
11/10 - Ancient Spirit.de (Germany)
8/10 - Inferno Magazine (Finland)
"There have been many legends concerning the Holy Grail. From the cup
Jesus drank from at the Last Supper to the legend of King Arthur. The
Holy Grail has been described in numerous ways and seems to be lost forever. Well rejoice my doomed brethren for we have found it! While
Heaven Wept with 'Of Empires Forlorn' presents to us no less than the holy grail of Doom-metal!" - Doom-metal.com
"So many people are looking at rock music from the wrong end of the telescope these days; small visions brought to fruition by small minds and even smaller talents. Therefore, it’s always a relief to hear something from a band that is as monumentally ambitious and bold as While Heaven Wept. Their riffs are hewn from grandiose, epic doom at its finest, the overwrought vocals will be familiar to fans of bombastic power metal, and the overall atmosphere that fans of true, unapologetic heaviness will find utterly invigorating. Bereft of the happy clappy jauntiness that makes power metal so unpalatable to many people, and bulging with mournful grace and dignity, this is an intensely moving and curiously uplifting album from a greatly underrated force." - Kerrang #981 (UK)
"Of Empires Forlorn may be the most important doom cd in the last 15 years and perhaps one of the genres top 10 of all time. Records like this are few and far between and could alter the perception of the genre itself. Strong words? Perhaps, but given the fact I've passed this around to different people for their listening pleasure and the results have been overwhelmingly positive speaks volumes. You want atmospheric, epic, melancholy and sweepingly majestic then look no further." - Underground Zine Scene (US)
"While Heaven Wept wrestle Candlemass with the Scorpions. It's mostly audible in the vocals, which are backed with solid gothic rock songwriting not far from Green Carnation, and made thicker and more aggressive with riffs that somehow equally soar and crunch, equally baroque and doom metal, labyrinthine and powerful." - Terrorizer
Magazine #114 (UK)
"Oh my, doom metal doesn't get much finer than this! Allow yourself to
be captivated by the angelic strains of the epic opener "The Drowning Years," and you'll surely agree that While Heaven Wept are woefully underrated in our fickle musical climate. Plaintive, epic, superlatively beautiful, "Of Empires Forlorn" boasts a vaulting scope that is the hallmark of visionaries, tinged with astute sadness, but never strangled by its own despondency. From the beginning, the music floats from the speakers with an almost supernatural grace, those bittersweet melodies and scintillating vocals proving to be absolutely dazzling." - Terrorizer Magazine #115 (UK)
"This is sadness and melancholy for everything its worth and it is so worth it! If you want something beautiful, and yet metal, then While Heaven Wept - Of Empires Forlorn is one of the best alternatives, if not THE best! Even the toughest men might shed a tear after this..." -
Powerlord.tk (Norway)
"Of Empires Forlorn is one of 2003's hidden gems, an album that is menacingly elegant and blessed with an innate sense of emotion. Spell 'doom' backwards and you get 'mood', which is a proper state of being to describe such an emotionally charged album. For anyone who even remotely fancies the holy Trinity of British doom (My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost, and Anathema) and Sabbath would be wise to purchase this." - Blistering.com (US)
"This is one of the more interesting albums I have picked up in a long time. The album is a throwback to the glorious days of soaring power metal anthems, minus the cheese factor. The vocals ride on gossamer wings and bring the listener to unbelievable heights. Amazing guitar work represented in the strength of the riffing and the powerful solos. This is a band that has survived many changes since its inception back in 1989 and shows the marks of the seasoned veterans filling its roster. Each song is a stirring mixture of pace and variation. Recommended for fans of melodic power metal." – Pit Magazine #45 (US)
"Goddamn, the year 2003 has just started and already a classic doom-album has been released. And I’m positive this will be one of the top releases within this genre for this year `cause this is an absolutely fabulous recording. While Heaven Wept from Virginia, USA managed to record one of the most epic doom-albums ever. I’m not joking, this is such a great album that’s so full of melancholy it almost brings tears to my eyes. This is plain beautiful. I repeat, beautiful. Their previous recordings already were excellent, but I dare to say WHW managed to crush all their previous efforts with "Of Empires Forlorn". I even dare to say they are in the same league as Candlemass and Solitude Aeturnus and can be ranked as a top-act within this particular genre." - Quintessence webzine (Netherlands)
"I would say that this is the most melodic release of WHW, reaching very high standards of songwriting quality and that it should be approached as an indispensable release from the dedicated fans of epic/doom metal. "Of Empires Forlorn" is a travel to vast deserted lands, where solitude and sorrow whisper elegies to the lone man’s fate." - Monolith webzine (Greece)
"This album is much like Celtic Frost's "Into The Pandemonium" in that there has never really been anything else like it before. Like that album, "Of Empires Forlorn" is sure to spark a lot of debate amongst the metal underground. In the end, it will be considered a benchmark release, too. This is more than just a mere album-of-the-year candidate - "Of Empires Forlorn" is one of the greatest and most important albums ever." - House Of Smut webzine (US)
"The sound is crystal clear and very heavy; the songs are atmospheric, emotional, memorable, and very well written; and the musicianship and vocals are flawless. The range of influences on show is far beyond my rather narrow listening habits, but the band describe it as a mix of Candlemass, Bach, Fates Warning, and Bathory. The most noteworthy aspect of this album is the sheer depth of emotion and feeling in both music and lyrics. Every note, every word is like a distillation of pure emotion." - Abandon All Hope fanzine # (Ireland)
"Even after the tenth listening you'll find new sound-details and facets (not that the music isn't immediately catchy, it is, but also very complex, too!). Wonderful acoustic-interludes, -intros and -outros make the music very varied and the development of WHILE HEAVEN WEPT has continued (as on each album), reaching a temporary height on this album. The song writing abilities of Tom Philips are now at an alarmingly high level" - Blooddawn.de (Germany)
"Yes! If you're like me and you can't get enough of the epic doom of classic Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, Solstice, and Veni Domine, then you'll herald the release of "Of Empires Forlorn," a mighty slab of unrepentantly epic doom metal." - Harm Magazine (USA)
"The band quite simply can be seen as the second tier uncles of the dark progressive wave of The End currently scooping up all the good reviews, the grandfathers of the form being as varied as My Dying Bride, Anathema and Opeth. But the While Heaven Wept sound is highly intriguing, combining the above vibe with that of Dan Swano's Nightingale, the outcome being a keyboardy, clean sung slow yet accessible epic heavy prog that is alone in the marketplace, brave in its clarity, imposing in no less than its fidelity, its graphics and its starkly morose lyrics. Ultimately, each track washes over the listener in waves of royal blue and ashen grey, opener 'The Drowning
Years' - cursed with one of the most seductive and unforgettable melodies of the '00s - proving to be a microcosm of the band's many bittersweet weapons." - Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles (Canada)
"In my opinion, if you cannot find something to like about this album then you are either lying or there is something wrong with you – such a well rounded offering I have not encountered in a while. From pounding anthemic epic metal ("Of Empires Forlorn") to crushing doom ("Soulsadness") via almost stadium rock ("The Drowning Years"), but remaining coherent throughout, the common lyrical themes helping towards this end." - Metal Ireland (Ireland)
"'Of Empires Forlorn' is a disc immensely rich in ideas, melodies and feelings. The intensity emanating from it is matchless." - Grinder
Magazine (Chile)
"Churning out their ilk of depressive doom since 1989, the band evokes images of emptiness, desolation and sorrow in the vein of Candlemass. Superbly composed, the band clearly has a skill for playing doom with the compassion that it is capable of, slow in speed, and orchestrated in a manner which compiles melody upon melody of keyboards, guitars, and vocals." - Metal Judgement (US)
"Their music can't be matched in case of emotionality, what many will consider as "soft". They shall listen to their Happy-bands and stay out of this. Of course, we get sad, melancholic music to listen. But you don't have to be a candidate for suicide to be gripped of the emotional depth and the majestical heaviness. It's a fact, that WHILE HEAVEN WEPT are great masters in creating moods and they are compositorial artists!" - Metal-Observer.com (Germany)
"There are plenty of slow and heavy riffs and lyrics about sadness, depression, and broken dreams. Fortunately the band has a distinctive sound that blends these typical doom elements with power metal melodicism and enough sense to steer clear of 20-minute dirges. In fact, they may even turn off some doom purists but who gives a fuck.
The best music doesn't follow rules, it follows inspiration and these guys seem to be doing their own thing." - Utter Trash zine (US)
"This is very heavy and melodic metal that oozes class from every riff. Unlike a lot of so-called doom bands, WHW do not play boring, slow riffs and call it doomy. True, most of this is slow or midpaced, but "Of Empires Forlorn" offers up plenty of time shifts and different parts to the songs to keep things interesting. These are long songs with majestic, sweeping melodies and ultra-heavy riffs, all of it topped off by the clear, strong vocals of Tom Phillips. Lots of use is made of vocal harmonies to lend a choral quality to the vocal parts, and keyboards and strings add just the right epic feel to the already superb music." - Metal Crypt.com (US)
"'Of Empires Forlorn' is an enjoyable album filled with haunting and glorious siren-song melodies" - Metal Maniacs (US)
"Perhaps we should look at While Heaven Wept's example as something to respect, for their refreshing mix of influences eschews the standard practice of metal bands to limit themselves (publicly, anyway) to the reverence of like bands, resulting in something that isn't contrived in the least. Yes, it may not be sonically crushing, but the soul is undoubtedly intact. Make no mistake; this is heavy metal doom, it's just delivered in a way that no other band does. The heavy riffs and classically influenced bass guitar meld with mood keyboards and epic movements to make something really great." - Maelstrom.nu #13 (US)
"The CD shows the band in a very promising side and deep tearful depression can still be found. Every tone, every word is based on the soul. Even though, all the melancholy is stronger than the positive atmosphere. The sound is clear and intense, the songs mature and the voice heavenly emotional." - Vampster.com (Germany)
"While Heaven Wept's reputation and status in the metal underground is almost legendary and always when it comes to name the band one will recognize a lot and heart felt of respect for the band. Only a few bands can by all means be proud to be compared to bands like
Candlemass or Solitude Aeturnus. "Empires Forlorn", marks a big milestone in the history of this American band, emphasizing it's legendary reputation with hymns like "Of Empires Forlorn" or the brilliant "Voice In The Wind". Especially this track gives a new dimension to the Epic Metal-scene, which can only be compared to
Candlemass' "Samarithan"." - Obliveon.de (Germany)
"Those who have not heard of While Heaven Wept are going to miss out on a lot because they are placed in the moniker that is doom metal. Don't get me wrong, I love doom metal, but I really think these guys are a level above and beyond some of the narrow constrains of doom metal." - Metalbite.com (USA)
"This is one of those albums where everything just works. The sound quality is impeccable, only super-ceded by the vocalist, who has to be the best singer I have had the pleasure of hearing in doom-metal. So much so, that he really makes this album for me, as I am not the greatest fan of traditional doom metal. Though this is something else entirely, epic traditional doom? Bombastic doom? Classical doom? I really don't know, all I know is that it sounds amazing and receives regular listens at my place." - A Tragic Opus (USA)
"WHW has published again one more epic than epic record! The record is filled with genuine doom with mid and slow tempo stuff, with enough atmosphere to be distributed to others. A word of warning to those not familiar with the band, they lean heavily to the foundations of modern metal, especially the NWOBHM-style must be mentioned. Anyway, this a record with very pure/clean sounds, it plays beautifully and heavily throughout, and I didn’t notice anything that would have disturbed my ears." - Imperiumi.net (Finland)
"The music of While Heaven Wept has all the right cards to charm a
truly wide audience: middle way between the funeral rhythms of the
best My Dying Bride and the epic atmospheres of the unforgettable
Candlemass, the American band perfectly merges the unsurpassable
thickness of constantly painful and slow rhythms with the ethereal
sadness of refined cured arrangements to the smallest details, diving
us into the blinding dark of the deepest abysses but always leaving a
visible light crack that allows us to surface." - Silent Scream
(Italy)
"A true fucking doom metal masterpiece, worthy of all the highest praise and respect it can be given.Starting off, 'The Drowning Years.'
Here we have nice bell notes, melodic synths, and then followed by slow and heavy guitar riffs. And when the vocals kick in, from here on out we all notice the stark and contrasting difference between WHW and the many other bands in doom metal: A sharp contrast between the almost upbeat and melodic vocal work of Tom and the moody, sometimes downright funereal instrumentation." - Vibrations Of Doom #36 (USA)
"From start to finish, “Of Empires Forlorn” is the most epic, emotionally moving, majestic (you name it!) piece of doom metal I have ever been exposed to." - Reflections Of Doom zine (Belgium)
"An album full of atmosphere that opens with swelling keyboards, an evening-clock that tolls and heavy guitars throwing a constant wave of sorrow over the listener.For that matter, all the songs have a distinct hymn character. Conclusion: a diverse album and yet an irresistible whole." - Lords Of Metal (Netherlands)
"You just hear in an instant that this oozes with quality and a band that will go far if they continue in this vein, cause this is absolutely a perfect example on brilliant doom metal at it’s best. The album is in general very mid-paced in speed, flowing elegantly forward without picking up much speed with a couple of exceptions where they speed up a bit with some killer riffs that just screams doom metal all the way. Anyway, this is one of the most surprising albums I’ve heard in a long time. I was just blown away by the sheer quality and distinct sound While Heaven Wept creates. I couldn’t believe these guys where from the US, I don’t know, this just doesn’t sound American at all. So if you’re looking for something epic, something depressive and very powerful, I suggest you buy 'Of Empires Forlorn'" – Atmosfear webzine (Norway)
"If there was indeed a throne for a Doom Metal King to establish and reign upon, my vote for King would go to Tom and While Heaven Wept. I have never heard anything even come close to being a true definition and a shining example of what Doom metal is and should be. Open the metal dictionary and turn to the word Doom. You will find While Heaven Wept's picture there with their name mentioned prominently in the definition of Doom metal.Take your favorite elements of Trouble and Candlemass, throw in a touch of the symphonic granduer of Rhapsody while never straying too far from Pink Floyd's Roger Waters and David Gilmour lead albums and you will start to get a little picture of what is happening here." - Revelationz.net (Denmark)
""Of Empires Forlorn' seems very heartfelt, both musically and lyrically. It will take the listener on a journey through all emotions, from the deeply depressive to the eerily elated. If the common doom band bores your brains out, While Heaven Wept might be the one to check out" - Into-Obscurity.com (US)
"A truly moving album that shows While Heaven Wept are to be considered the epoch of their genre, especially for US bands. But even though my scores reflect my objective view and recognition of the obvious mastery on display, I must warn listeners expecting monstrous funeral doom that this plays more like traditional heavy metal/classic doom laced with agonizing beauty and solace." - Metal Review.com (US)
"Epic Doom Metal. No three words could describe this disc any better.
High, clean and soaring vocals, crushing heavy guitars, grand arrangements, great musicianship and a crystal clear production all make this disc an epic masterpiece. While the classic influences of groups like Candlemass and Solstice can be felt, WHW adds many unique qualities, which put them at the forefront of the Epic Doom movement."
- Doom Altar (US/UK)
"Of Empires Forlorn is quite possibly one of the best doom metal releases of 2003 and one of the more impressive albums of its style in quite some time. Each listen has brought out more to appreciate and enjoy, providing some nice depth. Needless to say, this CD could easily find appeal in any doom fan or a metal fan with appreciation for well constructed melodic, gloomy music" - Satan Stole My Teddybear (US)
"This is a must-have for any Doom Metal fan, if you don't have this one in your collection, you're missing what Doom is all about." - Metalstorm.ee
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