Exiled Hope – Apocrypha

Vicky

I get that Burzum, Darkthrone, and Mayhem are considered to be the best Black metal bands, but can we agree to disagree? There are people (much like myself) who prefer Doom, Atmospheric, or Gothic Black Metal, and they probably won’t agree with those who think the style doesn’t go farther than those aforementioned bands. As a matter of fact, I want to tell you more about the latest album released by the Black Metal project Exiled Hope, Apocrypha—you can thank me later for helping you discover this hidden gem of dark music. First thing’s first, Apocrypha  is Exiled Hope’s third full-length album, a follow-up to the band’s previous LPs, Exiled Hope (2020), and Angel of Greytown (2021). So this band plays Black Metal, but here’s the twist: it’s a US-based one-man band—or should I say, a one-woman band—founded by Sofia Frasz, also known for her work with the bands Figures and Stygal. 

According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, “apocrypha” means: “in biblical literature, works outside an accepted canon of scripture. The history of the term’s usage indicates that it referred to a body of esoteric writings that were at first prized, later tolerated, and finally excluded.” 
Apocrypha is definitely not what you saw coming. I mean, I called it Black Metal, but it mostly has Folk, Symphonic, Gothic, Atmospheric, and Power metal tendencies. The clean vocals reminded me a lot of Dark Tranquillity’s “Insanity’s Crescendo”, meanwhile, the growls (which appear quite rarely) are straight from the Black Metal scene. At times, Exiled Hope’s tracks borrow from the melodicity and complexity of Cradle of Filth, Nightwish, and even Cellar Darling. The tracks aren’t overly catchy but not dull either, blending the best of both light, atmospheric music, and Black Metal. But before Power Metal fans get disappointed, know that they’re not even slightly boring. By the third or fourth listen, you might start singing along. 

I must confess, though, that my favorite tracks are “Forbidden Majesties” and “Dreamwalker”. I enjoyed the higher-pitched vocals and the sort of “banshee screams” Sofia lets out on the former. They give the song Gothic vibes and transport you to a world of forbidden emotions, which is what any epilogue is meant to do. Meanwhile, the latter features Matthew Cousins (also known as “Metal Matt”), whose voice makes you feel like you’re listening to early Kamelot. Sofia and Matt’s vocals complement each other surprisingly well—it’s a shame the track isn’t a bit longer. On “Altar of Moloch”, vocalist Brendon Moran (“Imperator Mortem”) is featured. This song is actually one of the heaviest tracks on Apocrypha.

If you’re into Black Power Metal that will blow your mind with its atmospheric shifts (I’ve never heard songs this dark, powerful, mellow, fast, depressive, yet joyful in spirit before, so this was a delightful first), you should give Apocrypha a try. Who knows? Maybe you’ll consider putting Exiled Hope on a pedestal ov (see what I did there?) good bands that deserve more attention. I certainly have. 

Label: Independent

Release date: April 11, 2025

Website (the immortal Bandcamp): https://exiledhope.bandcamp.com/  

Country: USA

Score: 3.8/5.0