APHONIC THRENODY is not what you can call your average band. With various members spread over four different countries and two continents, this now six-headed beast would actually rather label themselves doom collective'.
What was started off initially in London in late 2012 by guitarist Riccardo Veronese from GALLOW GOD and vocalist Rob Mura from URNA was quickly joined by a myriad of musicians from Italy, Hungary or the UK, with extra prestigious guests such as Jarno from SHAPE OF DESPAIR and Greg from ESOTERIC to boot.
Based on those names alone, you kind of know from the get-go in what kind of dreaded territories you're about to enter, desolate doom/death soundscapes verging on funeral doom where the words pic' and ournful' doesn't even start to cover it all.
Due on October 31st, hen Death Comes' is their first proper full-length and first for DOOMENTIA and according to Rob Mura, "it's an important step up for us as Doomentia is one of the most acclaimed doom metal labels worldwide.
And for us, being an international project, this is an amazing thing! We all come from different bands and backgrounds and once you get such great people interested in your music it makes you feel you're moving in the right direction." Indeed, in less than two years, their progression from their previous debut EP or splits with ENNUI (Georgia) and FROWNING (Germany) to this will have left many doom bands eating dust.
They started working on the album in summer 2013 and none of the five tracks are below the eleven minutes mark, with "Death Obsession" pushing it as far as 18 minutes! But this album ain't just about pushing funeral doom as far as possible but more about adding to the genre intricate arrangements, an almost progressive vibe and a strong cinematic element.
Talking of which, the band has worked with Dutch visual artist Jérôme Siegelaer, who has worked before with such estimate leftfield artists such as ENSLAVED or THE DEVIL'S BLOOD' Selim Lemouchi, to create a video for "Death Obsession".
And its bleakness yet stark beauty matches the one displayed on what is, by far, their strongest set to date whose superb gatefold LP art was designed in collaboration with 13th SIGN.
Further proof that APHONIC THRENODY ain't your typical doom/death and that When Death Comes' ain't your regular album either.