Officium Triste
Giving Yourself Away ()
Wydane przez Displeased RecordsRok wydania Kraj HollandNapisał Wouter8
On their third album Dutch doom metallers Officium Triste are expanding on the sound of their 2004 album "Reason". Slow, painful melodies unfold at a gentle pace soothed by Pim Blankenstein's tortured spoken vocals while the drums and synths by Martin Kwakernaak provide a sufficient desolate foundation. ‘My Charcoal Heart' is slightly more uptempo and is reminiscent of Pantheist's faster material, yet never does Officium Triste get upbeat despite the deliberate higher pace. The cold piano parts in particular add a nice contrast effect to the synth work on this otherwise already morose track and give this cut an atmosphere similar to Sweden's Shape Of Despair. The piano intro to ‘Signals' could have been easily culled off My Dying Bride genre-defining classic "Turn Loose the Swans" album in emotional intensity, complete with whispered vocals and intelligent tempo changes despite its snail pace. The vocal melodies are well thought-out and while not especially groundbreaking they provide the material with a heartfelt passion and somberness. The production is a lot warmer and fuller in comparison to "Reason". The guitar sound is nicely meaty and the bass features prominently. Synthesizers and piano are upfront in the mix but never get in the way of the guitars. The crimson artwork and lay-out is great and radically different from the band's past releases. Officium Triste has delivered yet another strong record with "Giving Yourself Away" and it will surely appeal to those who like their doom metal oppressive yet somberly melodic.
www.officiumtriste.com
