MOURNFUL CONGREGATION - The Unspoken Hymns

The Unspoken Hymns is a compilation of some of Mournful Congregation's best work. Set for release in September this year, it is aimed at introducing one of Australia's best bands onto American audiences. The compilation features songs [and versions of songs] only previously available on long sold out limited vinyl splits, and being someone who generally loathes best of compilations, I find this a very worthy release.

The first track off The Unspoken Hymns is something I have not yet heard from Mournful. "Left Unspoken" was originally featured on the Four Burials split vinyl alongside tracks by doom legends Otesanek, Loss and Orthadox. This recording is a new version which has roughly the same production values as The June Frost [Mournful Congregation's latest album, released January 2009] and is far clearer than the original recording. The song itself is a true funeral doom song, which few bands even get close to Mournful Congregation on.

The second featured track, titled "The Epitome of Gods and Men Alike", first surfaced on  a split with Worship in 2002, and was later released in the same year on The Dawning of Mournful Hymns - this is a true Mournful classic. The version on this album sounds very similar to that of the latter release, to the point where it is probably the same song, but still an excellent track nonetheless. It is different in a way of the other compsitions, where it's somewhat faster in parts, but still very heavy. I can only imagine how it could sound with better production.

This version of "A Slow March to the Burial", first released on a split with Stabat Mater in 2004, and more recently on The June Frost, is that of the former release, which lacks the production of The June Frost but makes for an interesting listen. With the split being a rather difficult item to get a hold of these days, it pleases me that they've added this track. The song is certainly the same, but the sound makes it a much different listen, with a more harrowing sound to it than the album release, giving it a nice, raw quality. The vocals sound more like a loud whisper rather than a growl as heard on Mournful's latest studio effort.

"The Descent of the Flames", one of my personal favourite tracks from The June Frost, and also featured on a split with local legends Stone Wings in 2007, makes another worthy addition to the compilation. This is the version of the song that was featured on the split, and like "A Slow March" it also lacks the production values of The June Frost, whilst sounding alike. Much like the aforementioned song, it has the same raw quality which makes it an interesting listen, particularly to someone like me who has listened to The June Frost countless times.

The final track off this epic compilation is none other than a cover of Thergothon's "Elemental". This is the only other track new to me on this album, but it is far from being a bad one. Thergothon are considered as pioneers of the genre, thus it's only fitting that Mournful Congregation would pay tribute to such a band. This version sounds just awesome. The vocals sound very haunting, and although the production is not the best, it does compliment the style in a way. Performed in true Mournful style, the song is poignant and epic at the same time, with the same raw quality heard in the previous tracks from the release. A truly worthy cover.

This is the perfect release for any fan of Mournful Congregation as it adds material not otherwise released on CD, and as an introduction to the band I think it would be a great release to pick up. 

The Unspoken Hymns will be released through 20 Buck Spin on September 20th, 2011 in the lead up to the release of Mournful Congregation's fourth full-length album, The Book Of Kings.

Album: The Unspoken Hymns

Release: September 20, 2011

Track Listing:

1. Left Unspoken [new version]
2. The Epitome Of Gods And Men Alike
3. A Slow March To The Burial
4. Descent Of The Flames
5. Elemental [Thergothon cover]