As three souls plunge down from the heavens, death and destruction can be felt hanging in the air like a foul stench. Red clouds swirl around a black sun that never sets and an erratic clock ticks off-tempo, moving faster and slower before rewinding and starting anew.
“Let me paint you a picture…” vocalist Mikey Arthur sings, welcoming listeners with a dramatic opening scene. It takes a skillful guide to navigate the darkest depths of hell. And, as The Gloom In The Corner depict in their second full-length album Trinity, death is merely the beginning of the series of chilling adventures
Purposefully aligning their song count with unlucky number thirteen – a reoccurring symbol in the ever-unfolding Gloom Cinematic Universe or GCU – it comes as little surprise to longtime fans that each of the Australian quartet’s enticing tracks intertwine to form an interlocking tale; this time centered around the appropriately labeled unholy trinity.
Comprised of previously deceased characters Rachel Barker, Ethan Hardy, and Clara Carne, the group’s bloody battle is woven throughout the album as the anti-heroes determinedly claw their way back to Earth from the Rabbit Hole dimension, slashing, shooting, and extinguishing anyone who dares to oppose their quest. Yet, for the Girl of Glass, Ronin, and Queen of Misanthropy, there is clearly more to the story than what can be contained within a single package.
For those just joining the GCU, as well as those looking for a quick refresh, 2016 debut album 'Fear Me' introduced listeners to main protagonists Julian “Jay” Hardy, a Section 13 agent consumed by anger over his girlfriend Rachel’s death, and Jay’s gloom (later known as Sherlock Adaliah Bones), a demonic entity who at times takes over Jay’s body as a host vessel. 2017 EP 'Homecoming' tells the tale of Jay’s brother Ethan, a war veteran suffering from PTSD, who upon discovering his brother’s struggle, kills himself as part of a Dante-style rescue mission to bring Rachel back to life. In 2019 EP Flesh and Bones, we’re introduced to Clara Carne, a past witness to one of Jay and Sherlock’s crimes, who instead of taking revenge, began a twisted love story with Sherlock, only to be murdered by his forced hand. And 2020’s 'Ultima Pluvia' EP where we finally learn of Sherlock’s past as an ancient warlord under the tyrannical King Baphicho, and see Sherlock and Jay’s deaths ushered in by Section 13 opponent and New Order leader Elias DeGraver and his gloom Atticus Encey.
'Trinity' and it’s cast live within the confines of their own supernatural worlds, themes such as falling out of love ('Gatekeeper'), battling depression ('Obliteration Imminent'), and standing behind women’s empowerment ('Nor Hell A Fury'), are ones that many can relate to or understand. And, while most individuals may avoid drowning their woes by way of transforming into full-on egotistical murderers like the Queen and King of Misanthropy and the gang, The Gloom In The Corner have illustrated that time and time again, life’s a little more fun when you can crack a smile. Taking a page from the trinity’s playbook: try to avoid the end of the world. But if you can’t…at least spend it with a killer soundtrack.
Tracklisting:
1. From Heaven To Hell
2. Obliteration Imminent (feat Monique Pym – Reliqa)
3. Ronin (feat Ryo Kinishita – Crystal Lake)
4. Black Rot (feat Monica Strut – The Last Martyr)
5. New Order (feat Taylor Barber – Left To Suffer)
6. Clutch (feat Amelia Duffield)
7. Pandora’s Box (feat Lauren Babic – Red Handed Denial)
8. Behemoth
9. Gravity
10. Red Clouds (feat Crystal Joilena, Elijah Witt (Cane Hill), Rachel Jeffreson)
11. Nor Hell A Fury
12. Gatekeeper (feat Ryan Kirby – Fit For A King)/13.Hail To The King (feat Joe Badolato – Fit For An Autopsy)
