By Nicholas Kobe, Staff Writer

[The Flenser; 2025]

Rating: 7/10

Key Tracks: “Iron Gate,” “Eviscerate,” “October” 

Self-described “fairy doom” trio Faetooth have carved out a sizable niche within the span of their burgeoning careers by leaning into doom metal’s mystic side in a unique way. Following up their 2022 debut album, Labyrinthine is a showcase of a band leaning further into their defined sound, while pushing themselves artistically to go bigger and, in this case, better.

Read more: Single Review: Testament – “Infanticide A.I.”

Labyrinthine starts with the single “Iron Gate,” a great tone-setter for the rest of the LP, showcasing the driving force of the band’s dark wall of guitars alongside ethereal and catchy vocals. Throughout the album, the vocal harmonies are one of the most obvious standouts. Whether it’s smooth and beautiful singing, shrill frying screams or a combination of the two, it always sounds cohesive and full. 

The album’s heavier moments, with black metal-like screaming and kick-ups in tempo, are used as sparing exclamation marks. This helps break up longer tracks, such as “Hole,” while never losing their luster. The song structures on this album are also varied enough to keep you on the edge of your seat, anticipating the next big moment while enjoying the vibe journey along the way.

On a technical level, every sound is just as the concept “ethereal doom metal” implies. The sound washes over you, but that wave is willing to yield for a particularly punchy riff or vocal moment such as the ending riff of “Eviscerate,” or the brighter leads throughout “October.” 

Faetooth still hits all of the “must-haves” of doom metal, plus some lighter elements that make the album not only unique but also more accessible. It bridges the gap between new and more seasoned fans, while being a great on-ramp to those curious about this sub-genre.

Lyrically, Labyrinthine is appropriately obtuse. The “labyrinth” the band enters seems to be as much of a mental construct as a physical one, where the protagonist is consumed by their negative emotions and locked away in this “labyrinth.” While any specifics beyond that are hard to discern, the lyrics are still successful by being evocative, especially in connection with the music. There is plenty of evocative imagery about death, rot, and decay, which is all pitch-perfect for the sludgy, yet mystical music. Due to the lower mix of the vocals, it’s a record that invites the listener to either lock in and uncover its secrets or let it wash over you, where both feel very appropriate. 

Faetooth delivers a good, atmospheric doom record that is able to reach outside of metal without feeling like it’s compromising its sound. The dark aura of this record, fantastic performances across the board and some genuinely catchy moments make Labyrinthine an easy recommendation, not only for fans of doom metal, but also shoegaze and other lighter genres. Faetooth achieves the stated goal of most artists’ sophomore LPs, maintaining what made the first record good, while taking the next step in what feels like a natural evolution.