Athenaeum Of Sin Reviews

Upon the listener’s engagement with the play button, the open track, Half Empty Nightmare, envelops the listener’s soul in a swirl of distorted and fierce instrumentals, accompanied by a vocal barrage. This establishes the tone for both the musical and lyrical themes of the album. Acting as a pilot episode in a TV series, it introduces listeners to the sound and narrative that unfolds across the album.

As the listener embarks on the next chapter with the second composition, Echoes Of Sorrow, alongside the remaining three pieces. The lyrical essence of In The Middle Of Chaos delves into themes of melancholy, remorse, and guilt, all encapsulated within hauntingly vivid nightmares. The album unfolds its narrative from a first-person perspective, offering a deeply personal glimpse into the songwriter’s experiences and emotions.

As the listener proceeds through In The Middle Of Chaos, the listeners’ ears are filled with haunting echoes of depressive black metal that echo beautifully from the listeners’ speakers. Meanwhile, Between Sunset and Sunrise amplifies this depressive musical journey by seamlessly weaving in ambient, melodic, and post-black metal influences/elements, which enrich the already dark and melancholic atmosphere. This creative fusion adds a breath of new life to the music, inviting the listener to explore the interplay between light and shadow.

In a mere thirty minutes, divided into five tracks, this collection emerges as a forbidden fruit of art, both lyrical and instrumental. Each piece captivates the allure of the listener’s hidden desires, inviting them to explore the depths of their ‘own’ emotions. The music weaves a spellbinding tapestry of haunting vocals that resonate with an urgent sense of longing, seamlessly merging with the distorted guitar work, pulsating drums, and ethereal ambient tones. The mid-tempo, almost languid rhythms contribute to a richly dark atmosphere, inviting the listener to delve deeper into its depths. As the listener progresses, the listener’s spirit is further enveloped by delicate piano interludes that amplify the brooding ambience, adding layers of complexity and emotion to the overall soundscape. And what helps the atmosphere and soundscape is the sound and recording production. Within the walls of the music, comes a sound quality that is beyond impressive, wrapping the audience in a dense wall of sound that elevates the overall quality. Every note, every beat, and every breath is a testament to the meticulous attention to detail.
 
“Between Sunset and Sunrise” is a dark release, that is depressive, but at the right moment, “Between Sunset and Sunrise” comes a pleasurable listen. At the same time, Between Sunset and Sunrise is a fruit of art. Standing as a testament to the devilmanship of its creator Der Abt, inviting all who encounter it to lose themselves, in their own deepest part of themselves.