When the world last heard from Virginia-based manic depressives While Heaven Wept, via their sophomore album, 2003's Of Empires Forlorn, they were treading quicksand in a trench of well-intentioned, but frankly second-rate Candlemass worship that was doing nothing to further their career.

Six years can make a big difference, however, and even though the ever-morphing ensemble (infamous for changing musicians as often as they change guitar strings) still hangs onto some of its melodic doom foundations on this third album, 2009's Vast Oceans Lachrymose, they also take incremental forays into faster tempos, progressive metal complexity, and lush symphonic backdrops.

What's more, While Heaven Wept's core members have acquired six more years of experience, composing and arranging their ambitious creations, thus transforming songs that were once rather clumsy and overreaching into competent and confident ones.

This is certainly the case with the album's 16-minute opening behemoth, "The Furthest Shore" -- a tour de force showcasing every corner of the band's broad stylistic range -- and subsequent highlights like "Living Sepulchre" (distinguished by rich vocal harmonies reminiscent of Mark Boals' multi-tracked work on Yngwie Malmsteen's Trilogy), and even the majestic instrumental title track.

And with nary a clunker in sight, there's no doubt that While Heaven Wept have taken significant leap forward with Vast Oceans Lachrymose, finally realizing their potential in the eyes of past detractors (this one included) and raising expectations for their next move, which will hopefully not require another half a decade of work before seeing the light of day.