Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Line Up:
Obscura Domini is a duo composed of musicians previously active in bands such as Tenebra Arcana, Aamon, and Abgott. From the intro, the album makes its direction clear: a decadent and leaden atmosphere. "The Forgotten Talisman of Corrupted Shadows" unfolds through a composition rich in melody and melancholy, evoking tragic scenarios that reach their climax with "Abysses of Nothingness."
The album continues with "Forest of Betrayal," a track that significantly increases the tempo, alternating feral outbursts with slowdowns enriched by piano phrasings and dreamlike synths layers. The band has placed a strong emphasis on the symphonic component, as confirmed by "In the Silence of the Void," a more rhythmic track whose atmospheres, in certain passages, recall Elend's Leçons de Ténèbres.
The fulcrum of the work, however, is "Tomb of Ashes," the album's most powerful, fastest, and most evocative song: a majestic introduction paves the way for what is, without a doubt, the moment when the band expresses its full potential. The album then closes with an outro mirroring the intro, sealing the circle of tragedy.
Ultimately, we are faced with a coherent work, despite some compositional solutions becoming a bit predictable over time due to a recurring pattern. The screaming is scathing and desperate, blending perfectly with the melodic textures woven by the guitars. The drum programming is also good, although the use of real drums would certainly have provided greater dynamics. A successful debut for fans of Atmospheric Black Metal, where melody, anger, and a skillful use of synths create a constant and dreamy union.
S.A.M.A.
