Desultory, is a Swedish band from Stockholm responsible alongside names such as Dismember, Entombed or Unleashed for the origins of the so-called Swedish Old School Death Metal. The band remained active from 1989 until 1996, releasing in this period two exceptional albums and a not so praised one because they changed style. They broke up after this slight musical genre swift and the poor quality of their third album. They returned to active in 2008 and two years later they released “Counting Our Scars” returning to their original sonority. This early summer release “Through Aching Eons” was announced as their closing career album.
This new record was released via Pulverised Records and it has a superb production. Overall, the band has delivered an excellent death metal album.
From the first, and apocalyptic track, “Silent Rapture” down to the last one, “Our Departure” we are facing a very robust album, made of strong riffs and an impressive drumming work. On the last track of the album we can find a slower pace, more melodic than the others tracks, with a nuance of melancholy, making it feel like a goodbye in a soundscape that might remind us of a doom metal style funeral march.
In addition, we can notice that this is also a somber album, with slightly distorted vocals contributing to the blackness and oppression feeling. Furthermore, some melodic elements, without disarming the rhythm section, are included to furnish some beautiful melancholic sensations.
This record is truly a swan song, closing Desultory’s career with a golden key.
