At some point when you reach a certain height in your particular corner of the underground, it becomes almost inevitable that you've ascertained mastery undeniable. We all know of a few acts out there that always seem to be firing on all cylinders and know precisely how to deliver the goods in every given instance such that there isn't a shred of compromising in the act of delivering such a magnificent work. Each style has a select list that embodies that very concept with death-doom not being an exception as we've been gifted bands like Officium Triste. A tour de force of the evocative and dreary side of the sound, Officium Triste has been an act to know for twenty-five years now. With their seventh full-length album on the horizon, their talent demands to be made clear once again.
It can be argued when it precisely happened, but there was a singular moment across their illustrious career in the underground that Officium Triste became one of the pillar names in what death-doom has become with their influence undeniable even as they continue to show us what they're made of. Each new offering from the act has all the trademarks of greatness as the style is constantly and consistently given extreme justice from a band that knows its nuances inside and out without missing even the smallest of details to ensure that every fresh creation is one that people can confidently claim is a bold piece before even hearing it. In the case of "Hortus Venenum", that proves to be no different. A supremely gorgeous yet no less than haunting performance that takes into account the best of what we've always thought of whenever Officium Triste comes up to the plate, these six tracks fill the void of death-doom that we've been seeing lately with the masterful use of sorrow throughout the whole of the album something that one just cannot simply put down. Alongside the impeccable musicianship and god-tier songwriting to ensure that the work shines even amongst its predecessors, "Hortus Venenum" is an obvious victory for a band that has made a career of defining the sorrow of the human soul while promising heaviness at every turn. For all that's delivered within this work, Officium Triste certainly delivered on that promise.
This is one of those creations that was almost destined to be an obvious slam dunk of a win right from the moment of its inception with it being all but obvious that Officium Triste would deliver something like this after being at the top of the food chain for so long. It's still surprising to see this level of quality being thrown around at every turn from a band that's been around for so long, yet the magnificence of "Hortus Venenum" was all but expected from an act as revered as this.
"Hortus Venenum" releases on September 6th via Transcending Obscurity Records!
LISTEN to advanced tracks from "Hortus Venenum" on Bandcamp here.
LIKE Officium Triste on Facebook here.
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