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Estatic Fear - Somnium Obmutum review



Reviewer:
9.0

197 users:
8.55
Band: Estatic Fear
Album: Somnium Obmutum
Release date: 1996


01. Des Naechtens Suss' Gedone
02. Somnium Obmutum
03. As Autumn Calls
04. Ode To Solitude

Estatic Fear hail from Austria, a country with a big history in the world of classical music, and believe me, their ancestors would be proud if they had the chance to listen to their compositions.

When classical music, doom/death metal and folk references came together Estatic Fear were born, harmonizing so beautifully together all these elements in the most appropriate way. Keeping either the bombastic or fragile atmosphere classical music can evoke, but lending it a metal edge in a doom/death metal manner, with grunting vocals and distorted guitar riffing along with some folk passages as well, Estatic Fear managed to form quite a personal sound back in 1996 with their debut album, "Somnium Obmutum".

The album consists of 4 compositions, yet it will accompany you for around 57 minutes and travel you to magical worlds of deep emotions, evoking a sense of olden times with its intensity and overall feeling. The role of the guitars is very important for the sound of the band whether they are heavily distorted and unleash their inspired guitar riffing or offer high quality acoustic passages with the classical guitar's affected ideas caressing the listener's soul with a weeping rose's petals. Except for the stunning classical guitar passages and the inspired distorted riffing the high quality of the band can be mirrored as well on the creative solo-oriented guitar work that makes its appearance at times.

Also, I shouldn't forget to mention the variety of instruments like the flute, the lute, the keyboards etc that lend their sound to the inspired orchestrations that adorn the melancholic and exceptionally depressive atmosphere of Estatic Fear. They mainly evoke a fragile atmosphere, without being afraid to sound more vivid and intense, escalating the emotional charge of the compositions. The rhythm section is not so much in the foreground and, in my opinion, it's not something really bad since all the other instruments manage to veil this "problem" with their sound in a succesful way. The vocals, whether they are ethereal/operatic female ones floating in the air like sirens weaving song or powerful male grunting/growling ones, sound utterly expressive and they give voice to the lyrics in the most beautiful and ideal way.

As I said above, "Somnium Obmutum" consists of 4 compositions of which "Des Naechtens Suss' Gedone" and "As Autumn Calls" are two fragile and atmospheric acoustic/orchestral instrumental pieces. "Somnium Obmutum" is a 32-minute long epic, filled with many changes and utterly inspired ideas, raging and bombastic at some times, emotional, fragile and heart-rending at others, and "Ode To Solitude" is what the title says, a real ode to solitude, adorned with grieving acoustic/orchestral passages that will touch you deeply, but having also soul-crushing and powerful outbursts that will make the veil of melancholy rise to new standards!

If you're searching for original music and you consider yourself a doom metal fan then Estatic Fear's "Somnium Ombutum" should be the next CD to become part of your collection and haunt your CD-player and inner world as well!





Written on 22.12.2005 by "It is myself I have never met, whose face is pasted on the underside of my mind."


Comments

Comments: 12   Visited by: 116 users
16.04.2007 - 20:08
SirenianFear
Account deleted
4 songs but from the best songs heard....Estatic Fear has a unique genre which is symphonic melodic gothic metal...i put estatic fear on the top of the favorite bands list for the variety and beauty of instruments which combined together in an incredible ways....These are the 21st century Beethovens;D
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08.06.2007 - 19:29
Corwin

BEST BAND EVER

perfect-written songs.
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03.07.2007 - 01:52
Glen_Doom

What an album....I cant stop listening to this music especially the song Somnium Obmutum. The range of emotions it transmits is beyond words. Utter beauty.
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Spitting in the face of mainstream music !!!
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25.08.2008 - 00:05
Rating: 10
Metal Symphony

how can a guy invent a divine album like this!!!!! i wish he returns to this stuff:S:S
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What is the meaning of this conspiracy,
The conspiracy that God has offered me,
Clinging me to the hands of insanity,
Concealing me in a lifetime fond of misery.
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19.09.2008 - 08:42
Shadowcross
The Summoner
A great review of a truly great album
the passages of Somnium Obmutum pretty much make it the most epic doom song i've ever heard! I don't know how they get away with this
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15.10.2008 - 16:41
Rating: 8
InnerSelf
proofread free
realy one of my favourite albums ever the great melancholic atmosphere just take u to another world
realy a great band .i am waiting for thier new work
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He who is not bold enough
to be stared at from across the abyss
is not bold enough
to stare into it himself.
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23.11.2009 - 19:39
Rating: 10
cobrapel
Concept One
Simply the best!!! 10+++
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08.06.2010 - 04:05
Rating: 8
Paradox0
Unasuming Madnes
Very unique album. The flute, organ and lute give the album almost a sense of renaissance/medieval inspiration (more so than classical might I say) which is some interesting influence considering you just don;t hear that kind of stuff anymore. 7.5/10
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11.11.2011 - 11:45
Rating: 9
advent

I must say the compositions are beyond perfect and the instrument they use create such immense feelings and beautiful melancholy , a rare masterpiece with a less recognition from metal communities, 10/10 .
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11.11.2011 - 20:03
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by advent on 11.11.2011 at 11:45
a rare masterpiece with a less recognition from metal communities, 10/10 .

While they aren't the most popular band in the world, I wouldn't say they've gone without recognition from the likes of us.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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09.12.2011 - 00:01
METALMILITIA

Just learning about goth metal/industrial/symphonic metal right now, and have stumbled upon Estatic Fear and Lacrimosa. It's interesting for sure, and know there's a lot of potential for people out here in Canada to like them, but they just haven't hit it big over here yet.

Do you know of any great forums/blogs etc. where Estatic Fear-type fans and related bands come together? I would love to learn more about 'em and just see what else (if anything) is out there that's close to these bands...

Or, if you know any member on Metal Storm that is a good source for this, please let me know! Thanks so much and hope to hear from you soon!

Cheers,

Drew
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10.06.2020 - 18:58
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
Well written, well motivated, well examples amd comparing whit classical music, well done, good review, I miss your reviews
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Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!!

Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die''
apos;'
[image]
I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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