Formed in 1996, Lycanthia carries with them a history spanning 17 years and are one of Australia's oldest surviving doom metal bands. A six piece band hailing from Sydney, Lycanthia plays traditional gothic death-doom metal with a strong emphasis on atmosphere, melody, and the captivating use of alternating male growls and female soprano vocals. Comparisons could be drawn between Lycanthia and the sound found in the early "golden age" works of classic gothic doom bands such as My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost, Draconian, and Theatre of Tragedy. A flagship of this particular sound is the contrast between dark, aggressive, and heavy death-doom and softer moments courtesy of female vocals, keyboards, and violin arrangements and Lycanthia does this extraordinarily well. The growls courtesy of founding member and bassist Lee Tassaker is a definite strong point of the album, and contrasts nicely with the poignant female vocals from violinist and keyboardists, Vanessa Black, and Megan Tassaker. The vocal work is complimented nicely by six very competent musicians all working towards a heavy, despairing, and powerfully melancholic sound and a production quality that does the songwriting justice. Mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios (Opeth, Katatonia).

I - The Essential Components of Misery
II - Eternity...
III - Forgone
IV - Ablaze The Wheel Turns
V - Despondency in Crescendo
VI - Time Feeds This Wound
VII - Hair of the Beast
VIII - From Ancestral Lands

Released: April 7, 2013
Release Type: Full-Length Album
Playing Time: 53:24
Genre: Gothic Death-Doom Metal
Quantity: 500 Copies
CD type: Pro-CD
Packaging: 4 Panel Digipack with 8 Page Inlay /Standard Jewel Case with 8 Page Inlay

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