The Fall Of Therenia by Aspherium: A Death Metal Odyssey You Didn’t Know You Needed
Alright, buckle up, metalheads. We’re diving into The Fall Of Therenia, a 2014 self-released death metal masterpiece from Norway’s very own Aspherium. If you’re into skull-crushing riffs, guttural growls that sound like someone gargling gravel, and epic storytelling vibes, this album might just be your new obsession. Or at least something to blast while pretending you’re the protagonist in a dark fantasy novel.
First off, let’s talk about the elephant in the room—yes, there are repeat tracks on this thing. “City of Stone,” “Guardians of the Gates,” and a couple others show up twice. Is it lazy? Nah, think of it as bonus material for when you can’t get enough of their brutal goodness. It’s like ordering pizza and finding an extra slice tucked under the box—you’re not mad about it.
Now, onto the meat and potatoes (or should I say blood and bones?). Two tracks stuck out to me like a sore thumb during my first spin: “Warden of Eons” and “Broken Beauty.”
“Warden of Eons” kicks things off with a riff so heavy it feels like Thor himself is using your eardrums as his personal drum kit. The vocals alternate between demonic growls and soaring cleans, which gives the track this cinematic vibe—like you’re watching some ancient god stomping through ruins while yelling at clouds. There’s also this killer mid-section where everything slows down just enough to make you feel like you’ve been punched in the soul before ramping back up again. It’s chaotic but somehow still polished, like a Viking who remembered to comb his beard before battle.
Then there’s “Broken Beauty,” which flips the script entirely. This one leans more melodic, almost ballad-like compared to the rest of the album’s relentless assault. Don’t get me wrong—it’s still got teeth, but the clean vocals here really shine, giving the song an emotional punch that sneaks up on you. It’s like taking a breather after getting pummeled by the earlier tracks, only to realize halfway through that the calm was just luring you into another trap. By the time the heavier parts kick back in, you’re already emotionally compromised. Sneaky bastards.
What makes The Fall Of Therenia stand out isn’t just its technical prowess or genre-blending antics—it’s how unapologetically over-the-top it is. Sure, it’s not perfect. Some transitions feel a bit janky, and yeah, those duplicate tracks could’ve been swapped for fresh content. But honestly? That doesn’t matter much when the music hits as hard as this does. It’s raw, passionate, and dripping with personality—like a DIY project gone gloriously right.
So here’s the kicker: listening to this album made me wonder what would happen if Aspherium ever collaborated with a symphony orchestra. Imagine violins wailing alongside blast beats and gutturals—it’d either be the greatest thing since sliced bread or a total trainwreck. Either way, I’d pay good money to see it live.
In conclusion, The Fall Of Therenia is a hidden gem for fans of Norwegian metal weirdness. It’s messy, ambitious, and utterly unforgettable—kinda like that one friend who insists on wearing corpse paint to brunch. Give it a shot if you want your ears to experience both beauty and brutality in equal measure. And hey, maybe keep a spare set of underwear handy…just in case.
