Review: Weeping Sores – The Convalescence Agonies
One thing you Toileteers may not know about me is that in my youth, martial arts was everything. It all started after my dad enrolled me in Taekwondo when I was 5, due to an obsession I had with Power Rangers. Little did I know this choice to sign up with my small town’s local parks and recreation martial arts program would have life-long effects on me. As I matured, I eventually progressed in the silly color belt rankings as well as additional stylistic training including Karate, Judo, and eventually full-on MMA training. One night while warming up, I felt a small pop-like sensation in my lower back, but there existed only very minuscule discomfort at the time. This seemingly insignificant occurrence happened when I was only 16 but would act as a continuing factor that I still struggle with to this day 18 years later. Chronic back pain is a daily occurrence with the occasional thrown-out back sprinkled in randomly just to add a little spice to my life. I underwent tests and regimens to maintain this ever-present specter at bay, but no amount of therapies and exercise routines ever made it go away, while some even exacerbated it.
Why do I bring up this seemingly random and unconnected facet of my life in a review for a metal album? Well, therein lies a similar motivation and muse for the long-awaited return of melancholic death/doomers Weeping Sores and their new album, The Convalescence Agonies. Being the first new release since their impressive 2019 debut LP False Confession (also don’t skip on their first release which is an EP), my personal excitement for this was quite high. Though a long wait, I am pleased to write that frontman and still reigning Sexiest Dude in Metal Doug Moore has devastated me in a way that is a bit hard to describe. After finishing my initial listen, I was left wanting nothing more than to never listen and experience this album again, and I mean that in the most positive way possible.
The Convalescence Agonies is pain incarnate, pure and simple. Guitarist, bassist, and vocalist Doug Moore lays upon you his firsthand experiences dealing with a debilitating injury he acquired in 2018; this injury to his right shoulder left him unable to live normally and that was a constant source of agony and frustration. Regarding this injury, Moore states:
The wound disabled my arm to the point of uselessness, and left me completely unable to play guitar for nearly a year. After months of physical therapy, I began to regain the ability to perform and I decided that a new Weeping Sores album would offer fitting motivation for me to continue my rehabilitation.
The music within does not shy away from the personal frustration and life-altering pain Moore underwent while rehabbing his affliction; in fact, it drags you into the same desperate mindset he was experiencing—a sentiment I definitely relate to as the music almost makes me feel physically uncomfortable as I reminisce on my own struggles with pain and recovery.
Perhaps the singular aspect that stands out the most is the musicality itself. The guitar playing feels more progressive and even drifty one moment, only to switch to a pummeling gallop to snap your mind back from the limited relief. Along for the ride of this experience is drummer Steve Schwegler who more than stands on his own with masterful kit work throughout each section of each track. Metal can be a difficult genre for a percussionist to make their playing style unique and recognizable in, but he adds a touch of sadness and aggression that immediately makes an impression. Additionally, when mentioning Weeping Sores, it would be impossible not to also bring up the hauntingly beautiful cello passages provided by Annie Blythe which add an emotional weight missing from so many others in the genre. But not to be outdone, the record includes deft keyboard/organ compositions and even “prepared” banjo (whatever that means) that add even greater morose and melancholic brilliance.
To single out only a snippet or two to discuss from this album would do The Convalescence Agonies a grave injustice, as each song feels like a complete experience in and of itself. Fast, mid-pace, and slow all play off each other as the story of suffering proceeds as part of the greater whole. It may have been a whole 6 years between releases, but when the results are this strong and devastating, I will gladly wait another 6 if needed.
5/5 Flaming Toilets ov Hell
The Convalescence Agonies is out now through I, Voidhanger Records.
