Receiving the Evcharist is our weekly feature where we pair choice albums with our favorite libations.  Drink from the cup of heresy.  This week’s offering: Mournful Congregation’s The Incubus of Karma and Russian River Brewing Company’s Damnation.  

The Metal: Mournful Congregation’s The Incubus of Karma

Much like my colleague Zyklonius and his write-up of the latest Slugdge album, this week I find myself in the position of talking about an album that has already received high praise from numerous sources more eloquent than myself.  For good reason too: Mournful Congregation are one of the most recognized and respected names in the world of funeral doom metal, with twenty-five years of experience under their belt crafting the crushing chords and soaring melodies that have helped define a genre.  On The Incubus of Karma the band keep their legacy intact, delivering more of their signature titanic sound than ever before.  It is nothing short of impressive to see a band with this much legacy behind them still churning out better and better albums, and it’s safe to say that The Incubus of Karma stands as tall as any of the Mournful Congregation’s now classic material.

The Booze: Russian River Brewing Company’s Damnation

What an appropriately named beer to pair with an album as heavy as Mournful Congregation’s.  Damnation is Russian River Brewing’s Belgian golden ale, and while the brewery may be more known for their IPA’s (my kingdom for a glass of Pliny the Elder), this brew proves Russian River is no one trick pony.  Light and sweet, with a subtle fruitiness, and with pleasant warming spice characteristics, this is an exemplary beer in a classic style.  I find Belgian beers fascinating because of how much character goes into each and every one; there is some level of overarching flavor profile of the style, but so much of the characteristics vary widely between breweries and recipes that each one is a mystery until the first sip.  I’m glad to say that Damnation is a pleasant surprise.

It’s been a while since I’ve been back in this saddle, but I’m never one to hog the spotlight, and I’m extremely proud of the work my brothers of the sonic cloth Chris and Zyklonius did on their pieces in this column.  I hope you enjoyed them as well.  Until next time,

Cheers, and be good to each other,

– Vincent