Review Summary: Moving Death/Doom music
Aphonic Threnody is yet another excellent Death/Doom Metal band, with members of Dea Marica which is in a class of its own, especially on the band’s new album ‘Curse of the Haunted’. Musically, it’s nothing groundbreaking or overly innovative, in that, it’s even comparable to the good Russian bands such as Mental Torment or Who Dies in Siberian Slush, with thick, melancholic music, expertly paced with numbing heaviness, choking the spirit but not the emotions.
The music is stirring and heavy and yet manages to be elegant, it’s a fine balance, usually there’s melodrama or dryness, with bands losing focus or intent, but Aphonic Threnody has managed that beautifully on its debut album titled ‘First Funeral’. The pace is like Funeral Doom Metal but it’s not as atmospheric or expansive, don’t get me wrong, there’s loads of atmosphere but not in a minimalist manner which is why I think this music owes more to Death/Doom than anything else, either way, if you’re getting the music right, you’re doing the right thing. It’s just the perceptions that have given way to interpretations and there’s nothing wrong that the band is doing here – it’s a class act. I’ve heard this album many times over, its subtle melodies remain haunting, its plodding heaviness inviting, its pace comfortable and this kind of music very much feels at home, so to speak, especially on cold winter nights.
This band is from various places – the members are from UK, Belgium (Pantheist keyboardist), Italy and Hungary and it’s quite a feat. It’d be a supergroup if this genre would’ve been more commercially viable, but that’s being harsh. It’s not about that is it? It’s about good music and there’s no doubt this release is full of it. Everyone has contributed towards making it special, making it the best with what it can.
