It’s somewhat difficult to associate the icy grimness of Golgotha with the sunny climes of Mallorca, yet that is from where this surprisingly prolific five-piece hail. Formed in 1992 (although absent a stable line up until 2005), Golgotha draw upon a range of familiar influences including Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride and Katatonia. Following on from 2019’s well-received Erasing The Past full length effort, Remembering The Past / Writing The Future is an EP that sees the band offering up one new track, as well s four re-recordings of past classics. Conceived as a gift for the fans, it is also a strong introduction for newcomers thanks to the passionate performances of the band and the strong production of Miguel A. Riutort.
The EP opens on an epic note with new song Don’t Waste Your Life, a dark piece with a strong My Dying Bride vibe that draws the listener into Golgotha’s bleak world. Amon Lopez delivers the verse in a gothic monotone, only to unleash a deathly roar on the chorus that takes things to an altogether darker place. An epic and evocative track, Don’t Waste Your Life is worth the price of admission alone, with the subsequent re-recordings proving to be a generous gift for the faithful. First up is Helpless. A dynamic piece, it moves calmly from heartfelt misery to deathly doom, the guitars of Vincente Paya and new member Samuel Morales gently overlapping on the quieter passages, lulling the listener into a dream of far-flung lands. A more nihilistic strain of doom emerges on the crushing I Am Lost, a piece that blurs the lines between primitive death metal and the dusty darkness of Fields Of The Nephilim, and it is particularly effective thanks to the subtle production work of Miguel.
The EP continues with Elemental Changes, a track that adopts a calmer pace, closer to Sisters Of Mercy, although Amon’s vocals sit closer to Til Linderman during the clean passages. Again, the production helps to seal the deal here, with a strong sense of atmosphere that allows for a considerable dynamic range without sacrificing coherence, even as the track moves from melodic first half to crushing, death-doom conclusion. The EP officially ends with the lengthy Lonely – a desiccated assault that harks back to Drown In Darkness-era Paradise Lost, and if the synths do serve to leaven the atmosphere a touch, Amon’s immense delivery ensures that the piece remains swathed in shadow.
Although officially five tracks long, the CD also includes three uncredited tracks, adding an additional fifteen minutes to the run time. The first of these secret tracks is the eerie, orchestral backing track to Don’t Waste Your Life, allowing the listener a far better view of the extensive work that went into crafting the backdrop to the piece. The same is included for I Am Lost and Helpless, with the former proving particularly impressive, demonstrating the cinematic ambitions the band harbour.
Remembering The Past / Writing The Future is an immensely impressive effort. The five primary tracks are ambitious, atmospheric and beautifully produced. However, it is those three secret bonus tracks that fully reveal the depth of these new pieces, allowing the listener to fully appreciate the work that went into creating suitably cinematic backdrops for the music. Nearly flawless in intent and execution, Remembering The Past / Writing The Future is a truly majestic offering form a special band. 9/10
