First Funeral

In the wonderful world of doom metal, a new band hoping to carve their niche is not unheard of. New bands sprout up seemingly out of nowhere, some to reach the heights of greatness and recognition. Others may display promise and talent, but ultimately, live out their existences dwelling in the lower planes. I personally love artists of both categories. Whether it be the greats of the scene, like the mighty Ahab, Shape of Despair, Mournful Congregation, etc. Or the sadly labeled “bedroom” uber underground acts. Granting the musical backgrounds of Aphonic Threnody, However, I feel they have strong potential to join ranks in the former category. If you are unfamiliar with this name and love doom metal, you will likely not remain unfamiliar for long. This international project finds it’s roots in Italy, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. Boasting members of Urna, Arcana Coelestia, Pantheist, and Dea Marica respectively,it is clear from the start that this is a group of talented and experienced musicians.

The underground super group has offered up a 12″ vinyl and CD EP for their debut effort, appropriately titled “First Funeral”. My review is based upon the free mp3 download, included with purchase of the LP edition. The EP opens with a sample, which I believe is taken from the film “Der Name der Rose”. This particular quote perfectly sets the dreary mood for the monumental doom which is about to begin. Immediately, very crushing yet sparse drums accompany a somber guitar’s playing. Not long after, the band launches into full audial sorrow, complete with compelling layered string sections and a powerful performance by vocalist RM. His deep, monstrous growls not only provide power and depth to the music being played, but a strong sense of conviction. Even without lyrics to read along with, It is clear that this music expresses negative emotions and a total lack of hope.

As stated before, this is very layered music. Beefed up by a professional production, the different musical elements at play in these songs all have their own voice. No one instrument or sung word seems to overpower this EP, it maintains a consistently balanced sound. From the song writing perspective, it seems these dirges are primarily based upon the shifting melodies of the guitars. They glide and interweave with rich piano harmonies, deep bass, and bombastic drums. And yet they have the strength to maintain atmospheric sadness even on their own. Scenes of total doom drudgery quiet down to cleaner atmospheric sections with ease and expert timing. These softer moments offer a rich variety, at times leaving the talent of keyboardist Kostas in center stage. His understanding of his instrument is surely a high point in the band’s sound. Whether adding a dream like vibe with softer tones, or sharpening the desolation of the songs with walls of synth, He is never off mark in his performance. Unique, well performed clean vocals also appear from time to time, yet never derail the direction of the album. Like the keyboard work, the clean vocals add an ethereal vibe to the dense funeral marches.

Timing is one thing to take into consideration when writing funeral doom. Whether it is a basic element, like maintaining perfect time of instruments at such slow tempos, or debating when a shift in the song would be the most emotionally effective. The Aphonic Threnody camp display their understanding of composition very well, with nothing ever seeming abrupt, out of place, or devoid of intense emotion. The songs of this EP transition smoothly, like the tide of the ocean. And believe me, carry about just as much weight! To elaborate, the whole album has a very natural feel. it is an EP whose songs fit perfectly like a puzzle, but leaves enough room and variety for listeners to easily pick a favorite song. The digital EP wraps up with a goodie that is sure to please fans of the genre. My Dying Bride’s classic “Symphonaire Infernus et Spera Empyrium” is dissected and re-imagined through the scope of total funerary bliss.

Even the most hardened critic may have to re-evaluate the worth of their existence when this EP is over. It is one deep, diverse, and emotionally draining journey. Surely one that you won’t soon forget. STRONGLY recommended for fans of Profetus, Mournful Congregation, and obsessors of doom metal in general.

originally written for http://aliveasthedead.wordpress.com/

This is the debut EP for a band which is quite hard to describe: Aphonic Threnody were born from the efforts of two musicians, Riccardo Veronese (guitars) of italian origin but raised in the UK, and Roberto Mura (singing and lyrics) from Italy, already together in Dea Marica. The Internet says that Veronese resides in London, but the international nature of the band goes way beyond that. In order to record "First Funeral" three other guys were added to complete the lineup: Marco Z (drums, also a member of Absentia Lunae and Urna among others – in the latter together with Mura), hungarian cello player Ábel Libisch and last but not least at all Kostas Panagiotou, from Pantheist, on the keyboards. These very names should be enough to prick up every doomster's ears.

Aphonic Threnody decide to stick to what the 90's taught: a doom-death metal with a touch of funeral doom "prima facie", which explains the choice to cover one of My Dying Bride's earliest songs as bonus; originally intended to be as an extra for a limited edition that never came to be, the track eventually ended up in every cd, adding almost fifteen minutes to the original running time (note: this fifth track is NOT on the vinyl version released by Terror From Hell).

The four songs from "First Funeral" are a perfect example of something extremely heavy gently laying down on your ears: slow, long, gloomy, trapping the listener into a vortex of despair and tormented helplessness. Veronese's guitar fills the speakers with a sipped, hefty riffing (and slow, did I already mention the riffing is slow?), but the band succeeds in not giving way to monotony. Panagiotou's keyboards have enough room to alternate despair with melodic breaks, giving the platter a great variety. Mura's singing is never hasty, but combines with the guitar in a ripping and slow-paced growl, speaking words of grief and lament. In particular, "Hollow", with its minimal lyrics, an epic and "big" mood, way more magniloquent than the previous ones, is the song that most underlines the alchemy between the five members. Beautiful.

Among six-strings effects and neverending down-tempo, between Thergothon and early My Dying Bride, Aphonic Threnody deliver a debut mature and complete already, boosting the expectations for the first album, which should be imminent.

Originally written for www.aristocraziawebzine.com

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.


Originally online at Transcending Obscurity - www.transcendingobscurity.com