When viewing the eye-catching artwork of U.S. atmospheric black/funeral doom metal band Vouna you can elicit a swell of wild emotions and gothic ambiance. ‘Atropos‘, the second album of multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Yianna Bekris, is embossed with a passionate touch of melancholic themes. The whole set of five songs is based on a morose mood with a dramatic, somber quality. Few bands have the ability to shift between the spectrum of funeral doom and black metal and this is what the music focuses on. The slow, melancholic dirges of the guitars serve a sense of beauty and contemplation. The music builds on effective landscapes of synth. The beautiful interplay of the acoustic passages and the ethereal vocals are quite hushed and hypnotic. While the atmosphere here is enhanced by the crushing guitars, it creates different moods and dramatic twists.

The opening track ‘Highest Mountain‘ begins with soothing strings and haunting vocals. These two elements set the tone for the album. Although there are some upbeat moments when the drums take a furious pace, the song is arranged in a way to give the melodies space to shimmer. Across the time length of the album, Vouna emphasizes the bleak elements of doom metal providing plenty of heart-crushing melodies. The calmness of the angelic vocals imbues the soul with an utter gloominess and deep sorrowful distress. While this oeuvre is somehow similar to gothic/doom ensembles such as Trees of Eternity and The Third and the Mortal, the following track ‘Vanish‘ is even hauntingly morbid.

The devilish tone of the raspy vocals would bring chills down to your spine. The sprawling dash of icy black metal riffs is accompanied by a slow drum pace. Each song is composed of various elements, but the heart abodes to the dark gloomy splendor of the growing atmosphere. Where the songs pass gently through ambient soundscapes, the element of dungeon synth becomes more prominent. The ominous synth provides a backdrop to the melancholy driven vocals. Vouna on the sophomore full length separates from the style of gothic/funeral doom metal. While portraying the gothic and folk aura on the short musical interlude ‘What Once Was Reprise‘, the expanding quality of the atmosphere oozes an emotional requiem on ‘Grey Sky‘. The blend of the charming vocals makes wonders for a style that usually does not pertain to an operatic way of singing. There is a fine gracefullness that is saturated with surrealism, even though other instruments like the guitars and drums are mainly used to enhance the quality of the music.

‘Atropos‘ explores different styles of genres, drawing subtle influences from black metal, but the main theme of the album is centered on her incredible vocal lines. Yianna Bekris has found a unique way to fuse these elements into the composition. The dramatic choruses combine rich, musical embellishments with a touch of sublime elegance that brings it a delicate pathos. With the ominous atmosphere equal in quality to the mournful vocals, the slow, doomy riffs create a mysterious contrast. ‘Atropos‘ is attached to the art of atmospheric funeral doom metal. The album closure ‘What Once Was‘ is dripping with the gothic charm of the ghostly vocals.

The lead guitars and the drums add epicness to the song composition as well as dynamics that boasts the tempo. From the stirring moments of the towering lead guitars and the lurching drums providing heavy beats, the song later descends into a dark melancholic ambiance. Bringing many changes in the tempo, Vouna focuses on the dramatic structure, slithering from raw emotions to soothing keyboard-based music. Yianna Bekris gives an emotional presentation where she brings some of the most poignant and dreamy works of the year.

‘Atropos‘ is a dark and bleak cinematic experience, recommended for anyone who is into bands such as The Third and The Mortal, Myrkur and Wolves in the Throne Room. 

Release Date: July 16th, 2021
Label: Profound Lore Records
Tracklist:

1. Highest Mountain
2. Vanish
3. What Once Was Reprise
4. Grey Sky
5. What Once Was