My Threnody
An Angel and the Eternal Silence (CD) 2002 Avernus Records
References to flowers? Check. References to sorrow, and of course, tears? Check. References to seasons? Check. Songs broken up into parts, or acts? Check. Looking over the song titles on this, My Threnody's debut release, one would likely write them off as another typical gothic metal band, and while there is an abundance of gothic metal influences in this album, the majority of it seems to lean towards a black/death metal style. Indeed, it is actually the black and death metal side of this album which I enjoyed the most. It reminded me quite a bit of a very polished version of Darkthrone, or even, dare I say it, some of Cradle of Filth's better songs. Of course, seeing those bands mentioned in a review should tip anyone off that the doom will be minimal here. Still, many of the songs, especially the intros, do come off sounding somewhat doomy. This isn't shocking at all, as My Threnody is the band of Brazillian doomsters' Silent Cry ex-drummer/vocalist. It therefore, shouldn't be shocking at all, that when the music slows down, it is very remeniscent of said band, as well as hints of Chalice... another band which Silent Cry had been compared to. Overall, this disc would've been much more enjoyable, to me, if the gothic parts were simply left out... they add a misplaced happy vibe (One would not be amiss to think Enya at some points), and just sound forced, and somewhat cheesy. Heck, it would've been even more enjoyable if the doomy parts were what made up the whole album... then again, at that point, My Threnody would probably be too much of a clone band. Perhaps, this is why all these other influences are thrown in. Alas though, it leaves the whole disc sounding pretty average... I guess the saying "jack of all trades, master of none" applies to My Threnody a bit too well.	1. Lies 2. Shadows Reigns 3. Like Roses And Thorns 4. Tulips (And The Garden Looks So Sad) 5. Songs For The Sorrowful Souls   Act I - Frozen Tears   Act II - Pact Of Souls 6. As The Autumn Comes... 7. ...And The Night Falls 8. Eternally   Act I - Abscence Of Your Light   Act II - Painless Now 9. In Articulo Mortis Approx. 19 minutes
Reviewed by: Matt Zuchowski