SonikGoat
I discovered Nepenthe shortly after writing my review of its labelmates, QAALM, and its mighty offering, A Grave Impression of an Unbroken Arc, under Hypaethral Records. Having found in that album an excellent blend of styles, the description of this Ontario-based band was enough to pique my interest. Would they manage to incorporate these diverse styles into a cohesive blend of their own?
The first thing to note is that, as the title suggests, this release is a collection of two EPs. The first three tracks are from The Fading Promise of Tomorrow, recorded earlier this year, while tracks four through seven come from Elegies of Loss and Doom, recorded in 2020 but previously unreleased in physical format. This accounts for a slightly uneven quality to the listening experience as a whole, though it still showcases stylistic tweaks and developments that have occurred over the years. If given the opportunity, I might reorder the tracks slightly, but as they are drawn from two distinct EPs recorded years apart, their current arrangement makes sense.
Stylistically, both EPs draw heavily from Atmospheric Black Metal and Post-Metal/Doom, with noticeable Neo-Folk influences. The sonic palette is consistent throughout, imbued with the luminescent sheen of dawn skies and an arboreal mistiness conveyed through synths and delicate acoustic guitar passages. Konrad Schroder’s vocal work (he also drums and pens the introspective lyrics) demonstrates impressive range. On the opener, Upon These Unfamiliar Shores, he transitions from clean singing to a raw Black Metal rasp. On Time Time Time (a cover of the Danish Neo-Folk project Of the Wand & the Moon), he adopts a deep, mournful tone reminiscent of My Dying Bride or Paradise Lost. Schroder’s versatility is a cornerstone of Nepenthe’s ability to weave together its various influences and craft a distinctive sound.
Elegies of Loss and Doom closes the collection with a monumental Funeral Doom title track, leaving me eager to see how Nepenthe will refine its sound on future releases. The newer material, which opens this compilation, shifts from an Atmospheric Black Metal opener into a haunting Neo-Folk/Post-Rock instrumental, eschewing Metal entirely. While I thoroughly enjoyed this piece, the transition to the Gothic Doom cover track and then to older material gave the impression that its sound could evolve in multiple directions. Undoubtedly, Nepenthe is a tantalizing prospect, combining diverse styles with a strong sense of atmosphere and epic songwriting.
Although the sequencing of the EPs might contribute to a slight unevenness in the listening experience, it’s clear that Nepenthe is a band with immense promise and a worthy addition to the burgeoning Hypaethral roster.
Label: Hypaethral Records
Release date: 15 November, 2024
Website: https://hypaethralrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-fading-promise-of-tomorrow-elegies-of-loss-and-doom
Country: Canada
Score: 4.10/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 