OFFICIUM TRISTE has been around since the early 90's so saying they sound "dated" would be false because, well, they are. OFFICIUM TRISTE was around during one of the best times in Doom Metal history, you had bands like PENTAGRAM and CATHEDRAL coming out and Doom was going through some big stylistic changes. I didn't start really listening to Metal until I was in middle school in the early 2000's. Meaning my experience mostly came from radio rock and old records of my dad's. OFFICIUM TRISTE's album, "Reason" came out in 2004 and has been re-released this year, it would have been something I would have eaten up had I been exposed to them at that age. But sadly, like most people that age, my musical taste was shit. So it's interesting to listen to the album now that I have experienced so much underground music. I believe I have been spoiled by more Avant-Garde Metal like BLOODY PANDA and over-the-top bands like CHILDREN OF BODOM because I think this album is just "okay". If I had heard them before I became a music snob (you know, way back in the horse and buggy days of 2004) I could distinguish OFFICIUM TRISTE from the throng of similar bands that have adopted their particular Doom style. The use of long, drawn out songs using dreamlike keyboards, combined with long, epic guitar solos and chugging, powerful riffs topped off with a ferocious yet clear growl. It's the sound of classic Doom Metal and "Reason" is a great Doom album. OFFICIUM TRISTE deserves much respect for having a part in the popularization of Doom Metal. But since they first appeared on the scene, and even since "Reason" was originally released, there have been so many bands following in their wake it's easy to pass on OFFICIUM TRISTE.  If you are in the mood for that nostalgic Doom sound, check out the re-release of "Reason". I do have to say one bad thing about the album, however. The track "Sun Doesn't Shine Anymore" is unintentionally hilarious. The song is over ten minutes long and sounds like the writings of a fourteen year old Goth kid, let me demonstrate!

"The Sun Doesn't Shine Anymore
Grey Clouds cover the Sky forevermore
And I miss you, your Smile, your laughing Face
And the Twinkles of Joy in your Eyes

I know you are there
Yet you are so far away
A Part of me has died
A Part that chose not to stay"

Now picture those lyrics in a harsh, demonic growl for ten minutes straight. It's like if Lucifer had a Live Journal account.