Aphotic
Novembers Doom · 2011
50 min · 8 tracks · death-doom
An atmospheric blend of melancholic melodies and crushing riffs that encapsulates the essence of death-doom.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Dark Host — Opening with haunting melodies, this track sets the tone for the entire album, blending atmospheric elements with powerful riffs to create an immersive experience.
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Harvest Scythe — This song showcases a dynamic range of tempos and vocal styles, demonstrating the band's ability to combine brutality with melodic passages seamlessly.
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What Could Have Been — With its introspective lyrics and poignant instrumentation, this track serves as a reflective centerpiece that encapsulates the album's overarching themes of loss and regret.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Aphotic combines atmospheric elements with heavy riffs, showcasing solid craftsmanship and emotional depth within its cohesive structure.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a slow, atmospheric introduction that gradually builds into heavier riffs, setting a tone of melancholy.
- Tracks feature alternating vocal styles, including deep growls and clean singing, which create dynamic contrasts throughout the record.
- Several tracks incorporate extended instrumental sections that emphasize mood over traditional song structure, allowing for immersive listening.
- The final track concludes with a gradual fade-out, leaving an echoing sense of unresolved tension.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady progression to resolution
- haunting melodies for introspection
- immersive listening in solitude
- cathartic exploration of melancholy
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat and fast-paced
- seek standalone energetic tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Aphotic is Novembers Doom's sixth studio album, released in 2011 after their notable 2005 album The Novella Reservoir. By this time, the band had solidified their sound and gained a loyal following in the death-doom scene, establishing themselves as key players within the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- My Dying Bride· Anathema· Paradise Lost
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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What Could Have Been
A pivotal moment shifts from a hopeful reflection to an acceptance of sorrow, emphasizing the weight of missed opportunities.
This transition in tone underscores the emotional complexity of the narrative, revealing a profound vulnerability that runs throughout the album.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Dark Host 8:05
- 2 Harvest Scythe 5:40
- 3 Buried 6:32
- 4 What Could Have Been 6:31
- 5 Of Age and Origin, Part 1: A Violent Day 5:01
- 6 Of Age and Origin, Part 2: A Day of Joy 3:16
- 7 Six Sides 7:46
- 8 Shadow Play 7:45
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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