Inconsolable is one of three vastly different EPs doom metal group Thou released leading up to their 2018 full-length, Magus. In contrast to the noisy, experimental The House Primordial and the grunge/alternative metal homage Rhea Sylvia, Inconsolable is a venture into stripped-down, brooding folk, bringing to mind Chelsea Wolfe and Angels of Light. It's not entirely acoustic, but the distortion is left off, the singing is kept to indoor voices, and the rhythms never rise above a steady crawl. While Thou have incorporated softer elements into their music before, they've never devoted a full release to this side of them, and it comes as a surprise on first listen. Of course, the effort still makes sense in the context of their ever-expanding catalog, and the group more than just pulls off this stylistic shift. Strange as it may seem, Inconsolable might just be the best of their 2018 releases. Following opener "The Unspeakable Oath," which resembles Alice in Chains attempting a slowcore song, the majority of the songs feature female lead vocalists, including KC Stafford (who also plays violin, guitar, and bass) and longtime guest contributor Emily McWilliams. "Come Home You Are Missed" is tense and grinding without being heavy, and ends with a repeated assurance that "Privacy is priceless to me." The majestic "The Hammer" is a string-laden plea for peace, concluding with a rapturous refrain that "Now is the time to truly begin." The truly gorgeous "Fallow State," a sad and sweet piece of Projekt-worthy ethereal darkwave, is the EP's highlight. Inconsolable retains a somber mood throughout, but instead of feeling oppressively gloomy, there's a weathered yet insistent undercurrent of hope, and it's ultimately inspiring rather than depressing. ~ Paul Simpson, Rovi

1		The Unspeakable Oath
2		Come Home You Are Missed
3		The Hammer
4		Behind the Mask Another Mask
5		Fallow State
6		Into the Scourge Pit
7		Find the Cost of Freedom
8		Entombed In Man

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