A DEAD POEM – Abstract Existence

vote
6.5

• Bands:
  A DEAD POEM
• Duration: 00:41:41
• Available from: 12/13/2024
• Label:

• Personal Records

Streaming not yet available

A Dead Poem's debut, “Abstract Existence”, presents itself as a manifesto of dedication towards a precise form of melodic death-doom metal, with a clear tribute to Katatonia of the nineties. The name of the group, which recalls a particular album and era of Rotting Christ, could therefore be misleading: if it weren't for a brief heavy metal break in the track “Obedience”, the link with the legendary Greek band is almost absent. The Brazilians, on the other hand, choose to follow paths already trodden by the aforementioned Swedes, mixing melancholic melodies and murky riffs in a tribute that is both heartfelt and at times excessively faithful to certain Katatonia mid-career albums, for a sort of wide-ranging tribute that obviously also examines the usual “Brave Murder Day”, the most celebrated chapter of the old catalog of Anders Nyström and co.
The work opens with “In Forgotten Dimensions”, a song which, from the first chords, evokes the atmosphere of “Tonight's Decision”, while the arpeggiated central section is tinged with reminiscences of the sulphurous “For Funerals To Come”. This combination of sounds manages to capture the essence of Katatonia's golden period, but clearly lacks that touch of personality that could put A Dead Poem in a position to truly stand out from the mass of emulators.
Furthermore, unlike what Katatonia had already done in the mid-nineties, A Dead Poem remained anchored to screaming, in terms of vocal interpretation, avoiding experiments with clean music. Beyond this aspect, the influences are so marked that, in some places, the line between tribute and imitation becomes truly blurry. In fact, some themes and suggestions seem to have been torn directly from the catalog of the Swedish giant or from that of the first October Tide, which inevitably ends up giving the whole thing a clear flavor of déjà vu and casting some shadows on the authoritativeness and compositional development of the duo.
Having said that, it is also true that “Abstract Existence” could still manage to satisfy some of the most avid fans of the genre, those who never tire of listening to variations on a now very famous and consolidated theme. A Dead Poem's approach, moreover, appears sincere and passionate, and the album's tracks, although sometimes very derivative, demonstrate a discreet mastery. Of course, to compete with names like Rapture/Counting Hours or Mother of Graves, the band will soon have to find their own voice, something that truly distinguishes them from those who inspired them.
Overall, “Abstract Existence” is therefore a record that plays it safe to say the least, ideal for those who continually seek a dose of decadent melodies and cascading riffs. If you start with moderate expectations and with the awareness that you are faced with a work that does not go beyond the review of the old Katatonia, you can still appreciate the spontaneity of the project. It remains to be seen if, in their next works, A Dead Poem will be able to evolve towards a more mature and memorable proposal.