_Vast Oceans Lachrymose_ starts very strong. "The Furthest Shore" is definitely the best song the band has penned till now. A nearly sixteen minute epic that stands as the epicentre of the album. Heavy chugging guitars surprise at initial listen. This is obviously a much heavier and much better and more clearly produced album than its predecessor. Irving's voice have a slightly progressive / power metal aura, but is indeed incredibly good and suitable to the music here. This is undeniably a While Heaven Wept album, yet shows a more mature band, in both instrumental skill and composition.

"To Wander the Void" is harsher than the opening track, heavier and hard hitting, with a great solo at the four minute mark -- and there is no time for catching your breath, as "Living Sepulchre" that follows continues the epic doom pummelling (I must coin a term for this). So far in the album, in fact, it is the genuine viciousness of the guitars and drums that surprised me the most, since _Of Empires Forlorn_ was rather tame in comparison.

In contrast to the first three songs, the remaining three are much softer. "Vessel" and "Vast Oceans Lachrymose" tone down the guitars and allow the synths to come out, and both songs are closer in style to the previous album. Closer "Epilogue" is rather redundant in its synth-only calmness, but embraces the album as a whole and I guess fulfills its namesake.

I like While Heaven Wept. There are not many bands that do epic doom well, let alone do it with gusto and skill. I also like the fact that they do not churn out albums every year, as I have come to expect their releases as rare treats, rather than yet another Candlemass inspired knockoff. _Vast Oceans Lachrymose_ is created with love and attention, beautifully molded to fit the creators' vision. I am eagerly looking forward to their next chapter, probably at some time around 2015.