Stream from the Heavens

Thergothon has a very interesting history in metal. They were one of the first bands to make funeral doom metal, a genre that mixes in the slowness of doom metal and the growling and hardness of death metal. However, due to some issues with their label, the band ended up splitting up a year before their debut album was released, so with only two demos and one studio album, it makes their time in metal a rather short one. However, "Stream from the Heavens" is a fantastic start for the funeral doom genre and would go on to inspire many bands to utilize the genre.

One very unique element to the album is the instruments. Being one of the first funeral doom albums, it sets the standard for the genre very well. The guitars play some very slow riffs, and their distortion gives the riffs a more dark and grim atmosphere. The drums are also very relaxed, as they have little beats that are spread throughout each track and set the slow mood for each track well. You also get some keyboards that play some drone-like tunes like the ones in the track "Everlasting". Some of my favorite instrumentals are from "Everlasting", "Elemental", and "Crying Blood + Crimson Snow" since those tracks execute the funeral doom sound the best. There are a couple of times where the repetition of the riffs can be a bit tiresome, but for the most part, the instrumentals are overall excellent.

Another interesting thing about the album is the vocals. Niko Skorpio and Jori Sjöroos do the vocals on this album, and they're pretty good. The vocals have a mix of melodic singing and deep growls, and the contrast between them could've been improved a bit. For example, in the track "Elemental", the vocals start off with some deep growls that bring in an atmosphere of doom and pain, which is great. However, when it gets to the more saddened singing, the transition feels abrupt and unexpected, making the overall transition feel rushed. There are also a couple of moments where the two vocal styles sing together, and it sounds poor. The vocals themselves are good, but in execution, they're the weakest part of the album.

What isn't weak though are the lyrics. The lyrics themselves are pretty short when compared to the long times for most of the tracks. However, they have some good lyrical qualities. For example, in the track "Yet the Watchers Guard", this verse quotes:

Enormous buildings of slimy black stone
Built by hands not similar to man
On a black star near Aldebaran
Twisted sky of poison clouds

The lyrics about the building of the watcher's guard's tower have an unique description of the process and gives the tower a rather menacing feel. The lyrics are also executed well on this track, since the harsh and dark atmosphere of the song make the story about the guards seem depressing. One of my favorite lyrics on this album will have to go to "Crying Blood + Crimson Snow", since the lyrical themes of death are very descriptive and poetic and are further enhanced by the drone-like keyboards and the distorted guitar riffs. The lyrics on this album are amazing, and they work well with the heartbreaking tone of the instruments.

Overall, "Stream from the Heavens" is easily one of the best funeral doom album of the 1990s. The instrumentals execute the slow and depressing atmosphere very well, and the lyrics are detailed and poetic. As I've stated earlier in the intro, Thergothon ended up breaking up a year before this album got released, and quitting before/after releasing your debut album seems to be a common trend with these funeral doom metal bands. Regardless, this album is great, and I strongly recommend it for those who are in the mood for a more sad experience.