Officium Triste / Ophis - Immersed Split CD ...

Officium Triste are about to release a brand new full length album but in the meantime have released this split album with German doomsters Ophis. This is a limited edition release (500 copies) and is out on the Memento Mori label. There are two tracks from each band and both bands share roughly the same playing time on the album or EP if you prefer. Officium Triste have been a band since 1994 so they should have their approach to doom metal finely tuned by now and their two songs here offer no surprises at all really but they display some real class, the kind of class that you usually only hear from a band with this amount of experience.

Officium Triste are not exactly a huge band but they are a doom metal institution especially in their home country and it is easy to hear why when you listen to the two tracks they offer here. The band is of course in the My Dying Bride, Swallow The Sun, Draconian style of gothic death-doom and while it is very generic, typical death-doom material, it is also very solid. However it is very hard to get excited by these two tracks. 'Repent' just sounds like a million other death-doom songs and is pure production line, stock stuff.....not bad but instantly forgettable. The second track is much better however. Titled 'Bittersweet Memories' this track wallows in misery for 11 plus minutes (or is it even longer) and is very emotional and atmospheric. The vocals of Pim Blankenstein delivers the words in a very cinematic, dramatic fashion and while the track still has the "left-over from other recording sessions" vibe, it is a very decent track.

On to Ophis now and this band has been making waves ever since releasing their début album in 2007 and with good reason, they just offer something that sounds a little less recycled. One problem emerges as soon as their two tracks begin the play however....where did the production go. While Officum Triste have a great sound on their tracks, the sound of Ophis leaves a lot to be desired. The very noticeable difference in production standards between the two bands is a problem but if you can get past that, the two tracks are better offerings than what Officum Triste have presented us with. There really isn't a big difference between these two bands so you really just get more of the same but the Ophis tracks seem more memorable. The one thing that sets the band apart is they are more extreme than most by death-doom standards. They are indeed melodic but they are pummeling in their intensity at times. Overall this is a decent but unremarkable split album and not something I will go back to revisit anytime soon. Skip this and wait for new full-lengths from both bands....6/10.

Ophis | Official Website
Officium Triste | Official Website