Umbersound is an American Atmospheric Doom/Death project that immerses the audience in mood and story, created by Joe D’Angelo (Grey Skies Fallen). Umbersound released its second independent full-length “If The Flies Could Sing” on January 24th 2025; If The Flies Could Sing was promoted through The Metallist PR.
Umbersound Social Links
Umbersound, If The Flies Could Sing Review: This review will evaluate every aspect of the album, from its intricate musical composition to its production. Our analysis will provide valuable insights to help you determine if this album is worth adding to your collection.
The First Three Sins of, If The Flies Could Sing
Let’s start by discussing the first three sins of Umbersound and their album, If The Flies Could Sing
The First Sin, The Strings/Keys: Slow thunderous and hypnotic riffs, characterized by down-tuned chords that create a hauntingly theatrical, dark, and brooding atmosphere. The bass adds depth and heaviness to the sound, complementing the guitars and drums. The Second Sin, The Vocals: They deliver harsh, raw and unpolished that evoke a sense of melancholy and loneliness. The Third Sin—The Percussions: Powerful and intense drum work, featuring blast beats and double-bass kicks, propels the music forward.
The Fourth Sin: Overall Discussion:
Sound mirrors the fragile equilibrium between existence and oblivion, comfort and discomfort, as well as love and animosity
The moment the listener hits the play button, they are welcomed by the haunting sounds of Wolves at the Door. This track envelops the listener in a haze of distorted instruments and reverberating vocals, sending chills racing down their spine. As the listener delves deeper into the experience with the second track, If the Flies Could Sing, along with the remaining eight pieces, they embark on a profound lyrical odyssey. Each song explores themes of mortality, metamorphosis, and the silent despair that resides in neglected corners of existence. “
Umbersound is a powerful blend of crushing intensity and melodic beauty, meticulously crafted in a production that captures every nuance—each drop, tempo, riff, beat, and vocal. This sonic experience offers a robust auditory journey, challenging listeners to engage deeply rather than simply stroll through. It demands that modern distractions fade away, forcing you to the edge of your seat as the music sweeps you into a world where decay and beauty coexist. The album If the Flies Could Sing conjures striking imagery of a deteriorating natural world, where an unsettling silence is punctuated only by the soft buzz of flies, creating a hauntingly profound sonic landscape.
Joe D’Angelo stands as the visionary behind Umbersound, where his artistic and devilmanship prowess a weave of tapestry of sound that challenges the very essence of doom and death metal. Joe‘s guitar work creates a hauntingly theatrical atmosphere, characterized by down-tuned riffs that unfold in layers, revealing moments of raw vulnerability. The intensity of the drum work propels the music forward, infusing it with a powerful energy that captivates the listener. Each note resonates deeply, inviting an exploration of the darker realms of emotion and sound.
D’Angelo’s vocals are a fruit of art, and a force unto themselves, delivering harsh, raw and unpolished that evoke a sense of melancholy and loneliness echoing through the listener’s mind and spirit. They serve as a compelling driving force within the music, though their impact may vary from one listener to another. For me, his vocal style evokes the theatrical essence reminiscent of early Candlemass, particularly evident in the second track, “If The Flies Can Sing.” This piece encapsulates the epic nature of his artistry, drawing the listener into a world where sound and emotion intertwine seamlessly.
Simultaneously, the music of Umbersound is a fruit of art, marked by a rich tapestry of melody intertwined with a heavy resonance, skilfully merging the dark tones of doom and death metal. Joe‘s intricate compositions showcase a blend of slow, thunderous riffs that are punctuated by rapid, technical segments, resulting in a captivating auditory journey. The album evokes a haunting, almost surreal dreamlike atmosphere, enveloping the listener in a shroud of heaviness while introducing delicate, ethereal moments that create a striking contrast.
This interplay of sound mirrors the fragile equilibrium between existence and oblivion, comfort and discomfort, as well as love and animosity. The listener is drawn into a world where the weight of the music feels almost tangible, yet it is softened by the airy, gentle passages that float above the dense layers. This duality not only enhances the emotional depth of the album but also invites a profound reflection on the complexities of life itself.
Umbersound is not to be missed, if you love doom/death metal, that’s heavy and melodic, then Umbersound is for you.
As the album comes to a close, the listener is introduced to the closing piece, An Open Letter To the Silent. The song welcomes the listener with the sound of the acoustic, and droplets of rain and whispers, as the music falls silent. We would like to thank The Metallist PR for allowing us to review Umbersound and his album If the Flies Could Sing.
The Last Three Sins
Let’s discuss the last three sins of Umbersound and their album, If The Flies Could Sing
The Fifth Sin, The Memorabilia:
For myself, from the initial swell of distortion to the final, introspective acoustic note, the devilmanship, arrangement and composition—both musical, vocals and lyrical—unfold with a serene fluidity, as if time itself has slowed. Each track transitions seamlessly into the next, creating a cohesive experience that flows like a dark river, that guiding me through a landscape of profound emotion and reflection. At the same time, the vocals delivered by D’Angelo’s are a force unto themselves.
Furthermore, I particularly liked the second piece, If The Flies Can Sing, especially the opening section, the buzzing of flies (even the riffs sound like buzzing of flies) and that hypnotic “Candlemass” atmosphere lure you in.
The Sixth Sin, The Artwork:
The entire artwork, designed by James Hutton Artist_lores, is dark and speaks the music and lyrics…
The Seventh Sin, Disrelish:
There is nothing to dislike in the musical offerings of Umbersound and their album If the Flies Could Sing. Thus, we conclude our review of Umbersound and his album If the Flies Could Sing. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for your time in reading this article, and I encourage you to explore the work of The Metallist PR and the band Umbersound.
Members
Joe D’Angelo: everything
Track-Listing
01. Wolves At The Door
02. If The Flies Could Sing
03. Atmos Ritual
04. Spines On The Shore
05. The Circle Maze
06. Deaths Old Sweet Song
07. One Suffers, One Withers
08. The Sound Of Umber
09. I zoí sou, mia tragodía
10. An Open Letter To The Silent
