Some metal genres I have been a fan of for a very long time. At one point in life, I was almost exclusively listening to doom/sludge metal and stoner rock. It spoke to my soul all those years, and even with listening to a much wider range now, it still speaks to my soul. As soon as I hear that first doomy riff, my heart immediately reacts, and I feel that familiar warmth and desire to get lost in it. Grief Collector is a band I have grown to really enjoy. Over the years, I felt that recognizable buzz while listening to them, but let me tell you, the upcoming release, The Death of All Dreams, damn, they have leveled up to a whole other planet. Not only did I feel the uptick of excitement for what I knew I would enjoy from them, but an all-new thump in my spirit as it cascaded along with the melodies. This incredible album will be out April 24th, 2026, and I encourage you all to explore it in one sitting.
Grief Collector began in 2017 out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, with members Brad Miller (drums), Matt Johnson (guitar, bass). In 2022, they added a new vocalist, Julian Kuster, who seems to be a perfect fit; his vocals are breathtaking.
The Death of All Dreams begins with track one, which carries the title of the album. There is an eerie stringed instrument, a violin (I believe), before the doom-driven guitar crushes in. Add in a tasty bassline, and you can already tell this is going to bring the mood. Kuster dives in with his low vocals, just to transition to a higher octave. He bounces between these two beautifully. The drums keep that steady beat that keeps your head bobbing. Something I noticed while sifting through this album, I hear some Alice in Chains resemblances from time to time, which is very pleasant for this AIC enthusiast.
“Cosmic Loneliness” begins with a soothing, slow melody and an interesting, almost native drum beat in the beginning. Kuster’s vocals are almost weep-worthy, as you feel the emotion seep from his chords. The ambiance of the guitar moaning right before the beat picks up. Riff jumps in, drums fill the pocket, and a hesitation before the music continues. Fantastic beginning to an incredible song. This one might be my favorite; it is so sad, yet lovely. It is an adventure all on its own. Halfway in, a Spanish-style guitar takes the main stage, and the feeling almost brings understanding from the depths of what gives us life, like an epiphany.
“Funeral World” starts catchy and groovy. The melody is so damn memorable, I can almost hear it in my sleep at night. There is a cool effect on the guitar during the chorus. Promptly after, a magnificent solo breaks in and maintains until the drums direct the sound to shift. It is a fun one, if that is appropriate to say with a doom song.
“One in Death” begins with drums and guitar complementing each other, beat after beat, adding in a few drum fills. You can tell Johnson and Miller speak the same musical language and have been playing together for a while. Kuster has a really haunting vocal approach here that makes you feel like you are in a pit and he is singing down to you. Don’t know why that is what I picture, but that is the imagery. About four minutes in, the bass takes the surface. I love when bands do this. That is the primary sound until another guitar solo erupts. Why not add a violin toward the end? It fits stunningly.
“A Sickening Sadness” has a very AIC feel for me. I can hear Jerry Cantrell almost applauding at the melody. It is a slow soundscape with an ominous impression. Again, at the almost 4-minute mark, an acoustic guitar cascades along with another string; it is an aura that really brings my soul to a sorrowful, but almost peaceful place. Maybe this one is my favorite. It is so hard to pick, but I feel all the emotions with this one. Have you ever found a song you almost want to live in? This is one of those.
“New Sorrow Old Heart” starts with Kuster harmonizing with himself at a higher octave. It is so beautiful. Kuster really outdoes himself vocally on this one. Ugh, definitely another favorite. What a terrible problem to have. Doom is known for its heart-wrenching lyrics, but sometimes you can feel them without even paying attention to what is being said. They accomplish this perfectly here. Kuster takes an almost demonic vocal style at one point, and it deepens the reaction. Fabulous track.
“Agony Eater” has been previously released, so I will let you decide on it with the link below. Which, guess what, makes you listen without my guidance. Suckers. Trust me, you will thank me later.
“Terminal Lucidity” is a creative title, first off, second, it has a really killer riff and melody. It is a groovy tune that makes you want to bang your head and tap your foot. This one is another really fun adventure with some shifts and changes that keep you engaged. Johnson drives the solo through your soul once again, damn, he takes the doom genre and kicks its ass into another gear.
“Nightmares Wide Awake” has the coolest, almost ghostly piano sound in the beginning, with the bass having its voice. An incredible riff bursts in to alter the sound. Another AIC feels for me, and I get excited every damn time. I would love to know if Johnson is influenced by Cantrell. The chilling vocal style and musical transitions almost feel like I am trapped in a haunted house. Weirdly, this is one I am ok being held hostage in. I am going to start calling Grief Collector the four-minute surprise band, because again, four minutes in, the bass brings us to the end.
Last track is a cover of one of my favorite songs, “Nights in White Satin” originally by The Moody Blues. I won’t lie, when I saw the title, I automatically started to worry because covering a masterpiece is an insane thing to attempt. Well, I need not be worried, and let me say, my fucking hell, they crushed it. I feel those same feelings, do I dare say even more so because of the extra fullness they bring? Crazy, I know, but sincerely, it is so well done, I didn’t feel the least bit disappointed. The vocal approach, the hesitations in musical transitions, and the overall atmosphere are just outstanding. No, brilliant. A perfect ending to an astonishing album.
I really wish they were bringing this to vinyl. I feel it would be the flawless soundtrack to a night of being alone with your thoughts and feelings. It is an amazing release, and I hope you all take the time to experience it in full.
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