One only need look at the cover and the label affiliation to determine the style of music Italy’s Apostolum ply; dark, depressive, doomy, black metal. Unfortunately though, it’s not very good, not Fear of Eternity bad, but certainly not up to Moribund’s usual high standards.

This introductory 5 track EP consists of the expected atmospheric intro/outro, a cover of Katatonia’s “Brave”, so that leaves two full original tracks, “Deep Dark Waters” and “Anxiety Attack”, neither of which are particularly striking or make the purchase of this EP worth it.

Apostolum are not as grim and evil as their many of their label mates or their idols Burzum, yet lack the beautiful melancholy of say Katatonia, Agalloch or other more somber acts. This middle ground gives the two full tracks an inept mood that has undecided elements of atmospheric death metal, black metal and doom, but they collide awkwardly. Then with the rather amateurish synths (“Deep Dark Waters” and “Anxiery Attack”), and then the asthmatic cat being strangled vocals of “Anxiety Attack”, the atmosphere becomes slightly laughable rather than suffocating and ominous.

This is a considerable miss for Moribund, who have been a bit ‘off’ with their gloomy black metal recently, and I see no reason to hear any more releases from this band, but the label just sent me the 67th album from Fear of Eternity, so who knows. Still, there is the upcoming swansong from Leviathan to make up for it.

[Visit the band's website]

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