Melencolia Estatica

This is the debut album for Melencolia Estatica on the Italian label Aeternitas Tenebrarum Music Foundation (ATMF). Released two years ago already, meaning perhaps a second chapter of desolate darkness is on its way!

Four compositions, all called "Meditatio" (I-IV), make this just short full length, lasting a little over 32 minutes. The band added a little note in the booklet: "I dedicate this dark empathy to my emptiness days". Depressive and sad music is often found in down-tuned guitar tones, clean and distorted arpeggios as well as in leads. No electronics, keyboards or samplings are used to create an atmosphere on this recording. This work is being described as melancholic Black Metal and I can't argue at all. Dark/stark/furious Black Metal with sick raspy vocals, blast beats and all on one hand, calmer but just as somber, even insane parts and beautifully melancholic moments, where the guitar playing takes a lot of the credit in creating these emotions, on the other. My favorite tracks are "Meditatio" II to IV. On III and IV I could even hear a certain progressive touch in their song structure. All the compositions include melodic and haunting musical passages, mostly carried on by crafty use of beautiful arpeggios.

One of the points I like about Black Metal is the emotions being carried by the music, and a depressive/melancholic use of Black Metal arts is very welcomed.