Atramentus
Stygian


3.5
great

Review

by DarkNoctus USER (48 Reviews)
August 25th, 2020 | 26 replies


Release Date: 2020 | Tracklist


Stygian isn't your typical funeral doom album filled with mournful, sad passages and atmospheric leanings. It does, thank goodness, have all of that and delivers them in a fashion that can be described as very compelling. A cryptic melding of church organ, massive and discordant piano chords with unsettling drones meet your typical affair of metal instrumentation. It's slowed to a crawl, however - even by some funeral doom band's standards. Each climactic cymbal and snare crash isn't unlike standing in the centre of a thunderstorm anxiously awaiting the next clash of thunder. Perhaps hold onto that feeling, too, as that feeling of unease and disdain sets Atramentus apart. This isn't an album to make you feel sad or sorrowful - it's an album that sets out to make you feel like you're drowning in your own breath.

Split into two longer movements with a short interlude between them, Stygian is more accessible than it seems. Its slick, gorgeous production courtesy of Greg Chandler (of Esoteric fame) means its simultaneously easy on the ears and crushingly heavy - a false dichotomy that Greg's always uncannily had a knack for. Atramentus' sound doesn't rely much on melody, moreso of the massive rhythm guitars to carry the heft of the sound, interchanging between subtle orchestral elements.

The first movement, "Stygian I", is perhaps weaker than the second, if only for its ending feeling more like it fizzles out than ending on a memorable note, simply allowing the drums to play the movement to a close. After 16 minutes of what felt like tone-setting it's hard not to expect more before the band lulls you into the ambient interlude - and though it's as well executed as the rest of the instrumentation, it feels misplaced; structurally it feels like lull after lull.

"Stygian III" picks things up perfectly, however - not wasting a moment. The lead guitar is of particular note on this track for being not only carrying the song's momentum, but for being spellbindingly beautiful, reminding me of the likes of Colosseum's very best works. The ambient break here is not only gorgeous with its melancholic chord progression, but the build to the album's climax thereafter is exceptional by any band's standards - let alone a project debut. However, it brings one back to the purveying feeling of what built up to that moment. It's a strange claim to call a record that lasts 45 minutes fleeting, but it honestly feels that way; for as cathartic as Stygian feels it lacks the breadth of its contemporaries.

It's a tough sell to argue that each member on this record is greater than the sum of its parts as both the clean and harsh vocals do little more than rumble away in the mix. As wonderful as much of the instrumentation is, when it all melds together it just feels like it cannot be grasped - as if lost in the haze. There's a vast ocean of emotional impetus behind this album's creation but with only one of the two main compositions of the record having satisfying conclusions, it's hard not to feel like not all of it translates to the recording, and thus, Stygian is impactful whilst it's on but not a moment beyond. A stronger first half and more prominent vocals would have made Stygian far, far stronger but it's an immensely promising debut from a band I hope are already planning a follow-up.



Recent reviews by this author
Swallow the Sun ShiningWintersun Time II
Insomnium Argent MoonAntimatter Black Market Enlightenment
40 Watt Sun Wider than the SkySo Hideous Laurestine
user ratings (97)
3.8
excellent

Comments:Add a Comment 
DarkNoctus
August 25th 2020


12358 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

ay up



https://listen.20buckspin.com/album/stygian



listen to this

Sunnyvale
Staff Reviewer
August 25th 2020


6178 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Nice review. Album rules, the third track especially

DarkNoctus
August 25th 2020


12358 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

stygian iii is fantastic yeah

ComeToDaddy
August 25th 2020


1851 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Oh damn, never realised this had Greg producing, big day on Friday for him between this and Self Hypnosis. Makes sense though, the vocal mixing sounds identical to Esoteric in some of it's more dismal moments. And I love some of the cosmic gurgles too, sounds almost like a doomy version of Chthe'ilist vox in a couple spots.

Great album and review. Agreed hard that back portion of Part 1 leading into Part 2 let the album down a bit, nearly 8min of downtime is a lot for such a short doom album

Gyromania
August 25th 2020


37479 Comments


Why a 3.5? Now I have no way of knowing if this is a 1 or a 5

MarsKid
Emeritus
August 25th 2020


21035 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Saw this posted by First Fragment the other day, so it was on my radar. Excited to try it out, although this style isn't always my thing.



Nice review pal, pos'd

TheNotrap
Staff Reviewer
August 25th 2020


19009 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I'm glad this album has been reviewed, it's been my fall asleep album for the last couple of days. I dig the its vibe

Atari
Staff Reviewer
August 25th 2020


28009 Comments


this looks gorgeous

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
August 26th 2020


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

A jOe daddy review

zaruyache
August 26th 2020


27754 Comments


d000000m

MiloRuggles
Staff Reviewer
August 26th 2020


3140 Comments


niiiiice review pos and bumpin

Azog
August 26th 2020


1070 Comments


Funeral doom done right.

BallsToTheWall
August 26th 2020


51603 Comments


Dope review/album/art.

MarsKid
Emeritus
August 27th 2020


21035 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

First half definitely drags, but that second half is worth a listen for sure.

Egarran
August 28th 2020


35452 Comments


OK it's really good but I think I'm moving away from this genre, like, as a person, you know?

figure337
September 4th 2020


887 Comments


Those song titles are so ridiculous that even Coheed would blush at them.

Egarran
September 4th 2020


35452 Comments


But not Bal-Sagoth

botb
September 9th 2020


18331 Comments


This album art is unbelievable

Floofus
September 25th 2020


172 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Album is dope. Needs more love

botb
September 25th 2020


18331 Comments


One of my boys just got this in the mail on wax, very jealous



You have to be logged in to post a comment. Login | Create a Profile





STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS // CONTACT US

Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Site Copyright 2005-2023 Sputnikmusic.com
All Album Reviews Displayed With Permission of Authors | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy