From Bandcamp, “Aptly titled “Abstract Existence,” A DEAD POEM's debut album is a tour de force of vintage vibes - the velvety, incense-choked essence of 1993, when gothic doom, black metal, and melodeath briefly comingled and crossed DNA. A DEAD POEM the band keenly understand subtlety and restraint, allowing each of these seven hypnotic songs to slowly work their spell and drown the listener in a sorrow so deep, you can practically feel the era-authentic black turtleneck closing around you.” The album has seven songs.

“In Forgotten Dimensions” is first. It’s an interesting sound that takes me a while to contemplate. I hear MeloDeath elements in the guitars, thick bass notes, and some Doom in the sting of the harsh vocals. The title track has a thicker backbone of mostly somber elements, but the band doesn’t lose sight of the melody along the way. The drums sound a bit stiff, a bit too perfect…they are probably programmed. The cool down however to the ambient passage is a nice contrast to the anger of the song, and those big bass notes come through once more. “Before the Rising Sun” moves with a notable groove and a bit of a faster pace, but elements of danger remain high in their sound. It’s like you are waiting for the other shoe to drop constantly.

“Dressed in Black” has some nice harmonic leads in it, and the bite of the harsh vocals is kept in check by the guitar work. For me, it’s like a massive gust of a frigid wind where warmth lingers by the end. The balance is well done. “Obedience” has sinister fangs that will sink deep into your flesh. Again, many of the harsher elements are held just beneath the surface, but you can feel their burn if you get too close. “Silent Tears Fall” closes the album, and in this song, you can really feel the pain in the music. Consider the title…tears that fall silently are those that no one can see, so in a way, they are in vain. But the pain is real for the person who cries. There is a sweet, catchy combination of gentle moments with hardened ones.

Overall, this was an excellent album to listen to. MeloDeath and Doom have been combined before, but not quite as well as A DEAD POEM did here. I love the subtle bite of the vocals, and their whispered wrath, as well as the low end, meaty bass notes. Restraint is indeed one of the band’s best qualities.