Dyssebeia – Garden of Stillborn Idols
Release Date: 17th November 2023
Label: Transcending Obscurity
Bandcamp
Genre: Melodic Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, Progressive Metal, Progressive Blackened Death Metal.
FFO: Obscura, Stortregn, At the Gates, In Mourning.
Review By: Carlos Tirado
As someone deeply immersed in the realms of extreme metal, particularly Death and Black metal, surprises are rare. Yet, amidst the desire for familiarity, Dyssbeia stands out—a project that manages to sound distinct while embracing the core elements that initially captivated me about metal. In a year abundant with Tech Death releases, the question now lingers: Is there room for one more album to captivate my enjoyment?
Garden of Stillborn Idols presents a unique amalgamation. It strikes a balance reminiscent of Obscura’s intricate complexity and Stortregn’s relentless talent for melodic lines, with a hint of classic At the Gates. While this may initially sound derivative, Dyssbeia does great things with these familiar elements. Through thoughtful song pacing and dissonant blends, the band creates a space between safety and wilderness. Despite the tracks sharing similarities, their unpredictable nature keeps me guessing.
The album introduces great acoustic interludes that seamlessly flow between tracks, enhancing the overall experience. The strength of Garden of Stillborn Idols lies in its cohesiveness—the songs complement each other without overstaying their welcome. Despite their complexity, there’s an absence of pretentious statements or filler material, showcasing a humble debut that embraces well-defined limitations. In an era where many artists indulge in excess, Dyssbeia proves that less can indeed be more.
My only qualm with the album lies in its fortuitous release year, coinciding with another exceptional Swiss MeloDeath/Tech death release from Stortregn. The comparison is inevitable due to their similar styles, yet distinct executions. Dyssbeia, with its gloomier and introspective tone, contrasts with Stortregn’s cosmic outlook. Embracing the blackened elements further could prove fruitful for Dyssbeia in future offerings, adding an oppressive and anxiety-inducing dimension to its style. While not the most original approach, it undeniably captures attention.
For a while, I’ve sought an infusion of the anxiety and cold darkness of Blackened Death into Progressive Death metal. Dyssbeia comes remarkably close to achieving this. It has placed me in the challenging position of setting high expectations—a testament to both its strengths and potential pitfalls.
(4 / 5)
