Their sixth, final and best album circles back to doom and gloom.

There’s a beautiful, tragic symmetry to the decade long creative arc of Spirit Adrift. The journey began not long after Nate Garrett detoxed after nearly dying from alcoholism. Chained to Oblivion (2016) and the Behind – Beyond EP (2016) were comprised of slow, epic length doom tracks, a cathartic expelling of demons to the backdrop of the vast solitude of the Arizona desert. Every album had a subtle but distinct shift in focus from pure doom metal to more energetic doom tinged heavy metal (Curse of Conception, 2017), classic heavy metal with big choruses (Divided by Darkness, 2019) and epic, triumphant heavy metal (Enlightened in Eternity, 2020). His vision quest shifted in 2021 to Texas, where he began a fruitful creative partnership with Jeff Henson at Red Nova Ranch. Ghost in the Gallows (2023) retained arena-ready melodies while reintroducing some darker doom tones. The sixth and final installment Infinite Illumination, comes full circle back to slow ‘n’ low doom, but far more accomplished. Garrett’s most intense, personal album encompasses is both menacing and mournful. Whether it’s for better or worse it’s not for me to say, but Garrett ended his sobriety just shy of ten years while writing this album, and rather than exorcising demons, he’s toasting and commiserating with them.

The album kicks off with acoustic guitar, similar to how the last album’s “Give Her to the River” began, but much darker, allowing beauty to glow amidst grief and torment on the colossal title track. This would be the crescendo, the highlight of most other doom albums these days, but it’s just the start. Baleful, chugging riffs ignite the more uptempo but menacing “Window Within,” that carries the torch of Sabbath, and bridges the legacies of Maiden, Metallica and The Obsessed. “You Will Never Hold the Key” has fairly simple riffs that provide sturdy support for heavy-hitting choruses that provide widescreen drama. On “Born in a Bad Way,” the riffs bounce on springs as Garrett embraces his demons with the intent to make his enemies pay and probably drink their blood in a fancy goblet.

The album ascends a towering peak through the last three tracks, featuring some impressive guest musicians, starting with “White Death,” packed with killer solos with an assist from Crypt Sermon’s Steve Jansson. It’s heavier crunch is a brief nod to sludgier contemporaries like High on Fire and Mastodon. “I Am Sustained” is fully loaded with engaging key changes, tone shifts and tremelo, topped with Garrett exchange wicked solos with James Murphy (Testament, Obituary, Death). And with an ominous synth tone, we reach the end with “Where Once There Was an Ocean,” arguably the peak of Spirit Adrift’s best album. The guest here is Arthur Rizk (Eternal Champion, Sumerlands) and again the varied tones reward repeat listens, with the final minute taken up by a hypnotic, chugging riff.

Is it a descent into the abyss or ascendence to illumination? After the optimistic feel of Ghost in the Gallows that the band might break through to crossover success, this final album can feel a bit heartbreaking, even if it is certainly as great or better. Time will tell if this marks a tragic end or a triumphant close to just one chapter. I’m confident Garrett will take care of himself, sober or not, so that he can take care of his family and continue his artistic journey. He’s mentioned on his Big Riff Energy channel the likelihood of another Neon Nightmare album, and a solo album that might encompass some of his interests in gothic country and Americana. Aside from his suspicions that the release of each Spirit Adrift title carries with them a deadly curse, I can understand how the cancellation of multiple major tours due to his need to be there for family necessitates he frees up his bandmates to earn a living. He also had a notably hard time with shifty, corrupt label and club owners, unfortunately an all too common story with an industry historically run by gangsters and con men. But if people like Steve Albini could forge their own path and operate within a corrupt industry with honor, I’m sure Garrett can too.

GoFund Me campaign to cover the costs that insurance will not pay for Nate’s wife Nicole’s stomach cancer treatment.