This Russian project started out back in 2006. Forming members, Roman (guitar, vocals) and bass player Semjon were the only musicians then. After releasing a couple of demos, they came up with their debut, Ars Moriendi in 2008. 2010 brought their second output on Backfire Productions/Stygian Crypt Productions.
Now a fully grown act, The Extinct Dreams has two guitar players as well as a keyboardist. Shining of Beyond is made of only four compositions. Track one and three are short (3-4 minutes) instrumentals that feel like introduction to the epic paired number songs. Now, all the song titles and lyrics being in their native tongue, I can't confirm this though. Nonetheless, those instrumentals are composed mostly on keyboards and have a spacey/ambient vibe. Track #3 even has some little bells in it that gives it a bit of an esoteric feel. The bulk of their work is of a melodic funeral doom nature. Their take is more melodic and varied than what I've mostly come across in the funeral doom metal genre, and this is a welcomed evolution. They have nice crunchy guitar/bass duet, growls and clean vocals, as well as clean guitar work plus background ambient keyboards. Their growls could change to raspy tones at times, but on the closing track, they use a great effect to create some unexpected wicked/beastie voices, much to my pleasure. To my surprise, Shining of Beyond also includes acoustic guitar parts like arpeggios and harmonics to increase the melodiousness of their art. The guys have added an industrial touch in a couple places with their samplings. I've enjoyed the slow pace of this album quite a bit, as well as the ambient/ depressed mood. On the other hand, I found the clean vocals a tad out of place and an acquired taste at best.
Shining of Beyond is a pleasant musical experience that keep my attention from beginning to end.
Track listing:
All titles only in Russian…
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