Published: May 2013 (Posted late)

We're already used with Hypnotic Dirge offering us quality stuff, isn't it? Well Lycanthia isn't any exception from the rule, but they are walking different paths than previously shown by HDR. Although still melancholic like the rest Lycanthia's music is a combination of Gothic, Doom and Death Metal with beauty and the best type of vocals, keyboards and violin all over the place. These guys are around since 1996 and it seems they are one of the oldest Doom Metal bands in Australia displaying a definite maturity on this second full-length album. The female vocals are awesome, there are two female vocalists (taking care of keyboards and violin too), I don't know who's the main one but she has such an enchanting voice I'd listen to this band's music only to let myself carried away by her trills. The arrangements are well thought and the violin as the main and upfront instrument plays a huge role in shaping the melancholic atmospheres that reminded me of Sins Of Thy Beloved and a bit of Theatre Of Tragedy. Of course this wouldn't have had that impact without the heavy, oppressive, doomy structures built by the rest of the instrumentalists and the rough, desperate vocals of Lee Tassaker, the male vocalist of Lycanthia. The production is top notch, mastering being taken care of by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia, Soilwork, Amon Amarth), so there's no reason why I wouldn't recommend this for fans of My Dying Bride, Sins Of thy Beloved, Theatre Of Tragedy, Draconian or Tristania. Very good record.