Dutch death/doom outfit Sad Whisperings have existed under many incarnations and names, but one thing that has remained consistent is the fact that, until now, the band only had one full-length album: 1993’s Sensitive to Autumn. In the time since, Sad Whisperings released demos, compilations and EPs, but 2026’s The Hermit, which you can stream below, is their first long-player in over 30 years.
For those who were into Sad Whisperings back in the day, there is good news: The Hermit picks up where Sensitive to Autumn left off, combining gothic under- and overtones with Sad Whisperings’ riff-driven death/doom approach. Melancholic leads drift in and out, while drummer Chris Oldenburger, a new addition to the band, gives a lively performance. That hits especially hard on tracks like “Forever War,” where Oldenburger’s drumming adds major heft to the song’s back half, immediately flowing into the huge melodies and faster drumming on “Heart of Darkness.”
If you miss the old, Peaceville style of doom, The Hermit is exactly what you’re looking for. Tap in via the Bandcamp link below—the album is out on January 19 via Vicar Records. If you’ve never heard Sensitive to Autumn, that’s also available via Vicar’s Bandcamp.
The post Full Album Stream: Sad Whisperings – “The Hermit” appeared first on Decibel Magazine.