Thalarion is a band that has legendary status in the Slovakian Scene. Dying on the Scorched Plains is their first album in seventeen years and sixth overall. Their brand of death-doom with both Female and male vocals is also a very metal one.
‘’Dead But still in My Heart’’ is a beautiful doom/symphonic metal track that would not be lost on any Liv era Theatre of Tragedy album (no not the electronic ones). Petronela Hederova’s vocals soar with gothic romance whilst, Juraj Grežďo growls attempt to bring her back to earth. Into the Nowhere is one of the heaviest on the album that begins as pure death metal with a confession of sins and then the dynamics kick in before a glorious heavy metal riff comes out of nowhere and turns the track into a stomping headbanging journey that is overwhelmingly positive. Whilst Sub Rosa is just pure metal with whispered vocals and deathly growls.
On first listen Dying on the Scorched Plains carries a lot of heavy metal riffing and a lot of elements that fans of Therion and Tristania will also take great joy in.
At times the dynamics between darkness and light are a little jarring, but then you discover they are time changes on the musical adventure as on Wandering Minstrel’’.
‘’Burning Pile’’ is heavy death doom that features more of Petronela Hederova’s beautiful vocals and touches of traditional Slovakian elements. To dismiss Dying on the Scorched Plains on the first listen is a mistake. The more you invest in it, the more you receive Early 00’s gothic doom-inspired metal is undergoing a resurgence and Thalarion deserves to be at the front of it.
Thalarion: Facebook
Release Year: 2021
Label: UPRISING! Records
Category: Album
Country: Slovakia
Reviewed by Sparky
