The consensus about the latest album of this legendary death/doom metal band is that it’s among the finest albums ever produced in their 25-year long career. Officium Triste are clearly in top form and it’s evident from the feedback they’ve received of late. Respected site Invisible Oranges streamed an exclusive song AT THIS LINK. Excerpt –
“There is proficiency, and then there is mastery, and Officium Triste’s take on the genre holds them to a higher tier”
– “should be on every doom fan’s radar this year” – Decibel Magazine (US)
– “contender for the title “Album of the Year” – Metal Only (Germany) 10/10
– “definitely one of the best albums ever released in 2019” – Slovak Metal Army (Slovakia) 10/10
– “the” Death/Doom Metal album and highlight of this year” – Rock Era Magazine
– “one of the finest albums released this year” – VM-Underground (Netherlands)
– “a true monster of a record” – Planet Mosh (UK) 5/5
– “one of my favorite death doom albums of the year” – Two Guys Metal Reviews (US)
– “Annual list material” – Zwaremetalen (Netherlands) 97/100
– “magnum opus” – Head-Banger Reviews (US)
– “Mandatory purchase for every music fan” – Lords of Metal (Netherlands) 9.3/10
– “masterpiece” – Rock’n’Roll Monuments (Greece)
– “absolutely spellbinding” – No Clean Singing (US)
– “everything that you’d want in a Death/Doom record” – Metal Temple (Greece) 9/10
– “one of the most important records of their career” – Rock’n’Roll Monuments (Greece)
– “made a great impression on me” – Obscuro (Czech Republic) 9.2/10
– “a fantastic piece of Death/Doom” – Musipedia of Metal (UK) 9/10
– “achingly fantastic in every way” – The Doorway To (US)
Officium Triste (Netherlands) – The Death of Gaia (December 13th, 2019)
Genre – Black Metal/Hardcore/Crust
Release Date – November 29th, 2019
Record Label – Transcending Obscurity Records
For fans of – Gaerea, Calligram, Oathbreaker, Veilburner, Ancst, Plebeian Grandstand, Darkthrone, Mayhem
Dutch death/doom metal legends Officium Triste, who have been around for 25 years, are back with their sixth full length album titled ‘The Death of Gaia’. They’re only wiser with age, for the music is just as evocative as always if not more this time around, with better arrangements and variations spread across the album. Their music has this gentle yet overwhelming approach that will leave you in complete tatters by the time it’s done. It’s beautifully hinging on this balance they’ve perfected over decades between plaintive melodies and wretched heaviness. Additional instruments such as piano, violin and cello have been brought in and even several guest vocals to lend to this an epic air, further entrenching their mastery over this form of poignant music. For this album they’ve employed the services of Chris Smith (Grey Aria Design Studio) for the vibrant artwork and of Greg Chandler (Esoteric) where mastering is concerned, ensuring that everything is done just the way it was meant to be. ‘The Death of Gaia’ is the pinnacle of the band’s illustrious career and sets new standards even now for others to look up to.
Band lineup –
Martin Kwakernaak – Keyboards, Acoustic Guitars
Gerard de Jong – Guitars
Pim Blankenstein – Vocals
Niels Jordaan – Drums
William van Dijk – Guitars
Theo Plaisier – Bass
Additional vocals by Vigo van Dijk and Chiara Kwakernaak on ‘Just Smoke And Mirrors’ and Mariska van der Krul on ‘The End Is Nigh’ and ‘The Guilt’.
Additional violins by Chris Davies on ‘The End Is Nigh’ and ‘Just Smoke And Mirrors’.
Additional cello by Elianne Anemaat on ‘The End Is Nigh’ and ‘The Guilt’.
Drums recorded at Studio Plug Unit, Reeuwijk, the Netherlands. Engineered by Hans Pieters.
Guitars, bass, keyboards and vocals recorded at El Pato Studio, Bergweiler, Germany. Engineered by Martin Kwakernaak.
Additional guitars and vocals recorded at Hubert’s place, Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Engineered by Hubert ter Meulen.
Mixed by Hans Pieters and Officium Triste at the People’s Noise, the Netherlands.
Mastered by Greg Chandler at Priory Recording Studio, UK.
Track listing –
1. The End is Nigh
2. World in Flames
3. Shackles
4. A House in a Field in the Eye of the Storm
5. The Guilt
6. Just Smoke and Mirrors
7. Like a Flower in the Desert
8. Losing Ground
Transcending Obscurity Official YouTube Channel