Corvus Corone – Abandoned in Spring

Corvus Corone’s “Abandoned in Spring” emerges from the shadows, promising a descent into the sorrowful abyss of funeral doom. Does this album blossom with melancholic beauty or wilt under the weight of its own despair? Let’s delve into this mournful soundscape, track by track, and see if “Abandoned in Spring” offers a cathartic release or simply drowns the listener in despair.

A Descent into Funereal Sorrow:

• Eulogy (5:20): The album opens with a slow and deliberate instrumental passage. Distorted guitars drone with a sense of crushing weight, while melancholic piano melodies weave a tapestry of despair. The absence of vocals sets the stage for an introspective journey, allowing the listener to marinate in the album’s oppressive atmosphere.
• Buried Within the Ashen Ruins That Once Resembled All That Was Hallowed (21:56): The album’s centerpiece arrives. This sprawling track is a masterclass in funeral doom’s ability to evoke profound sadness. Slow tempos, minimalist instrumentation, and occasional guttural growls create a crushing sense of hopelessness. The song feels like a journey through a desolate graveyard, a reflection on the impermanence of all things.
• The Sun Shall Die With None to Mourn (22:02): The album continues its exploration of sonic desolation. Distorted guitars and mournful clean vocals combine to create a sense of cosmic insignificance. The lyrics, though likely veiled in metaphor, hint at themes of loss, isolation, and the indifference of the universe. The song’s glacial pace allows the listener to fully absorb the weight of its emotional core.
• To Be Abandoned by Love Itself (24:08): A glimmer of hope emerges amidst the despair. The song features a slightly faster tempo and a more melodic guitar line. Clean vocals take on a more ethereal quality, offering a brief moment of respite from the album’s crushing weight. However, the underlying sadness remains, a reminder that even fleeting moments of joy cannot escape the clutches of time.
• Epitaph (3:51): The album closes with a brief and poignant instrumental. Distorted guitars fade into melancholic piano melodies, offering a sense of quiet acceptance. This track serves as a fitting conclusion, leaving the listener with a lingering sense of sorrow and a newfound appreciation for the beauty of impermanence.

Verdict: 4 out of 5

“Abandoned in Spring” is not for the faint of heart. It’s a demanding listen, requiring patience and a willingness to embrace the depths of human sorrow. However, for those seeking a cathartic experience and a profound exploration of loss, this album is a rewarding journey. Corvus Corone crafts a masterful soundscape of crushing heaviness and melancholic beauty. The songwriting, while adhering to the genre’s minimalist structure, offers enough variation to keep the listener engaged. The use of both guttural growls and clean vocals adds depth and emotional texture to the music. The production is clear and powerful, allowing each instrument to resonate with the listener.

A minor point to consider: Listeners unfamiliar with funeral doom’s glacial tempos and emphasis on atmosphere over traditional song structure might find “Abandoned in Spring” a bit monotonous. The unrelenting focus on despair might be too much for some listeners seeking a more dynamic listening experience.

However, for fans of funeral doom and those seeking a deeply emotional experience, “Abandoned in Spring” is a must-listen. Corvus Corone proves that sometimes, the most beautiful music emerges from the darkest corners of the soul. This album is a testament to the power of music to confront and explore the depths of human grief.