Stygian

I would not consider myself a super fan of doom metal, but I am definitely someone who indulges in a bit of doom tomfoolery. Groups like Woe Unto Me, Sleep, My Dying Bride, YOB, and Black Sabbath have given me some fantastic chunky metal that I really enjoy. I also like the sub genre of funeral doom metal. Taking the slow-sludge riffs, and making them even slower, as well as giving them an extra doleful kick really does tickle an interesting funny bone in my brain. While I have not heard much funeral doom, earlier this year I reviewed Woe Unto Me’s “Along the Meandering Ordeals, Reshape the Pivot of Harmony”, which has become one of my favorite all time albums. Now, enough about my appreciation for this genre, how about we look into this little big album from the band Atramentus.

Atramentus was formed in 2012 by Phillipe Tougas in Quebec, however they wouldn’t create a full album until 2018, where they went to record their debut, Stygian, which they then released in August 2020.

Debut records tend to either be extremely great, or a bit misplaced, but I find Stygian to fit more into the former. While I wouldn’t say it’s the best doom metal record I have listened to, it certainly does deliver a flavorful package of some meaty riffs, dark atmospheres, and lovely growls that I expect and love from my day to day doom band.

The record is a lot more ambient than most funeral doom, at least from what I noticed. I mean, funeral doom is usually a lot more ambient than most other forms of doom metal, but this album definitely feels a lot more atmospheric, and I like it quite a lot. Definitely gives it a unique flavor that I appreciate.

I also like the keyboard workings on here. François Bilodeu certainly has a good knack with the keys, and I think they give a lot of nice textures on here. Though I also think he should be a little more centered staged, as he doesn’t really appear all that much outside from short bursts on tracks like From Tumultuous Heavens, or Perennial Voyage. I think he should get a bit more attention as he has some good skill.

I also kinda think the first track isn’t that strong. I think it has good moments, but it doesn’t really have that extra kick to it that makes it feel more worthwhile. There’s no super strong crescendo towards the end, nor any really big change. I get it, this album is kinda like one big track in of itself, but I think even in the context of it being that, I think the track should have a bit more going for it, to not only make the album better, but also give the song itself a bit more memorability.

Overall, Stygian, while imperfect, certainly is a good course through some tasty doom metal fun. It’s certainly one I’d recommend if you may be interested in the world of funeral doom metal. Check it out, it’s pretty neat.