Woe of Tyrants - Threnody

July 28, 2010

Woe of Tyrants’ new album Threnody is one of the most perfect albums to come out in years.  With music that is balanced in variety and construction, and lyrics that are some of the most impressive prose I have ever had the pleasure to read, Woe of Tyrants has outshone the stars.

Threnody has taken a hold of me, and so far will not let me go.  One of the most magnificently composed and played contemporary albums, Threnody has impressed me immeasurably.  A gorgeous tale of incomprehensible personal sorrow, the greatest thing to lose is oneself and the narrative leads you to believe that is the case.  Though it is a hopeless descent from grace, the music and technical ability of these musicians ascends to the skies.

Flowing as one massive track, and one massive story, Woe of Tyrants grabs you by the collar and drives you through the ground.  They fall with you, driving you towards the rock bottom of the lowest low one can experience.  As you see the sky getting smaller overhead and you lose yourself to title track “Threnody”, “Blood Smear”, “Creatures of the Mire”, and “Singing Surrender”, you’ll submit completely to what I consider to be the album of the year.  Threnody is an enormously powerful album, which I have not stopped talking about to anyone that I know.  The guitar work on this album had me digging my fingers into my table with pleasure, the percussion both strong individually and as a compliment to the music.  The music is written brilliantly, both as a complete album and as singular songs.

Never before have I seen someone gracefully take iconography and not butcher the holy hell out of it.  Albums and bands that reference biblical themes usually are never subtle, whether it is in a positive or negative way.  Chris Castanzaro has emphasized that this isn’t a Christian album.  I agree; it covers mankind more than religious mythos.  Yet, it is hard to separate the image of a fall from grace from the brightest and most beloved angel who fell, Lucifer.  And who can’t relate to being the brightest star in their skies, prone to collapse, big questions, and self-exploration?  This album has precisely executed references like a “garden looms ahead” and a “serpent feigns sleep.”  A perfect city falling into the ocean; “Lightning over Atlantis” also references the collapsing city that scholars believe was where the Tower of Babel story derives from.   But despite the subtlety, there is no doubt that the narrator has found himself descending to the darkest place a man can travel to, in a picturesque journey to one’s most intense individual suffering.  Woe of Tyrants proves with this album that in every aspect of their music they will go where most men fear to tread.

Castanzaro’s lyrics of the greatest tragedy that can happen to an individual no matter what race or creed are as delicate yet poignant as the balance of melodic and death metal.  A well-defined sound, blended with a timeless issue, never before has an album grabbed a hold of me and made me look so deeply within myself.  A must listen album. 

Release Date: April 13th, 2010
Label Metal Blade Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Tetelestai
2.  Creatures Of The Mire
3.  Venom Eye
4.  Tempting The Wretch
5.  Threnody
6.  Bloodsmear
7.  The Venus Orbit
8.  Lightning Over Atlantis
9.  Singing Surrender
10.  Descendit Ad Inferos
       (The Harrowing Of Hell)

Total playing time:  40:59

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Reviewer: Lynora