ARBOR IRA do not hurry releasing records. They polish ideas and new material with dedication, resist trends and hypes… and stay as particular as unique.
Dreams were gone three years ago. Now, decay closes in, offered in three chapters, and brought to an end by a stunning cover version of Karats Albatros, which is quite close to the original, if you take the classic version, but utmost appealing.  
Musically nothing has changed that much. ARBOR IRA still play their own brand of Psycho Doom, a label that suits them perfectly. Anno 2013 ARBOR IRA just sound significantly more homogenous, stringent, more sophisticated and less dissonant and experimental. The madness reigns subtly.
The band’s new tracks are of an epic length, without being lengthy as they offer many twist and turns. They never get boring, maybe a bit cheesy at the end of When Dark Arises, featuring the (only) duet with cello player N. Zimmer. ARBOR IRA spread the spirit of the „big three of Doom“. First of all they once again bow to My Dying Bride, especially when it comes to the singing. Mr. bLUM offers here an impressing wide range of emotional vocal work, without off-key tones. He sings clean, he whispers and he screams, he mourns, growls and rocks out, it’s all much intensive and varied. I’m just not sure who exactly sings which parts as drummer Pille contributes vocals too. There is of course much Aaron Stainthorpe to hear out, occasionally Dani Filth and Daniel Brennare (When Dark Arises) shine through too.
Guitar work reminds me of old Paradise Lost, with wonderful melancholic melody lines, solos, accompanied by haunting and oppressive violin and cello tunes. The violin picks a bit on nerves at the title track Zerfall and in #2132 (my fave track), intentionally, to set accents. And I really like the powerful and earthy sound and the heavy hit bass guitars.
Zerfall is a great EP, their best work so far. It was worth the wait. And Zerfall still grows with every new listen.