If ever an album deserved to be listened to with the lights down, a drink in hand and absolutely nowhere to be, it’s October Rust. Type O Negative’s fourth studio album is a gloriously dark, wonderfully melancholic slab of gothic metal that manages to be both ridiculously heavy and ridiculously beautiful.

Peter Steele and company had already established themselves as masters of the macabre, but here they really hit their stride. The crushing heaviness of Slow, Deep and Hard and the more experimental direction of Bloody Kisses have evolved into something altogether more atmospheric. There’s still plenty of weight, but it’s wrapped in layers of keyboards, haunting melodies and Steele’s unmistakable deep, baritone vocals.

Love You To Death arrives after the “hilarious” intro “songs” with one of the most gorgeous openings in gothic metal. It’s seductive, sinister and utterly hypnotic. Be My Druidess brings the sleaze, Green Man is wonderfully dreamy, and Red Water (Christmas Mourning) delivers a gloriously miserable festive soundtrack.

The second half is just as strong. My Girlfriend’s Girlfriend brings a welcome dose of cheeky, psychedelic swagger, before Die With Me and Burnt Flowers Fallen return to that beautifully miserable territory. In Praise Of Bacchus is another highlight, full of gorgeous melodies and Steele’s wonderfully melancholic delivery. Even the Neil Young cover of Cinnamon Girl feels completely at home if a bit unnecessary.

And just when you think you’ve got the measure of it, Wolf Moon (my personal favourite track) and the enormous, ten-minute Haunted bring things to a suitably epic close.

What makes this album so special is the atmosphere. It’s sexy, sinister, funny, melancholic and occasionally downright ridiculous. Type O Negative manage to make all of those things work together, with Steele’s unmistakable bass tone and vocals sitting somewhere between a funeral procession and a late-night confession.

Give it your attention, let it wash over you and embrace the misery. Or, do what I did and use it as a love-making soundtrack. It’s better than you might think for that.

Gothic metal at its most seductive. Beautifully dark, gloriously over the top and absolutely fucking essential.