Ophelia’s Eye — Severance Review

Dynamics and Descent — Movement Within the Weight

Some hymns pulse with bold shifts. They jump from punchy rhythms to deep, low-tuned riffs, then lift into sweet melodies. Pneumatic rhythms drive like quick breaths of air—sharp, lively beats that push the pace. Downtuned heaviness drops the guitars low for that thick, crushing weight fans crave in metal.

In hymns like Disconnected, the guitars twist and chase each other in tight interplay. Melody cuts through the sludge, bright and clear. This mix hints at bigger goals—progressive metal dreams, where songs stretch and twist like Opeth or Tool tracks. It keeps the heaviness but adds layers that reward close listens.

Then Letters pulls you in slow. Haunting vocals whisper at first, soft and eerie, like a chill wind. Drums creep in. Guitars build tension. Soon, it slams into heavy walls of sound—riffs thunder, bass growls. This shift nods to smart structure. Bands use it to hook you, start calm, then explode. Listeners stay glued, never bored. Heavy music thrives on these ups and downs. They turn simple riffs into full journeys.

Devilmanship and Execution — Instruments in Combat

Instrumentally, the band deliver executed devilmanship, unleashing meaty dual guitars provided by Noah Peier and Corinne Ryter. Both crank out brutal riffs and sweet melodic layering. The pair shifts gears fast, with churning low‑tone riffs and bouncy, breakdown‑driven sections. Sandro Suter’sbass riffs are thick with a low‑end presence supporting the dual‑guitar attack.

Noé Beivihammers the drums, driving the music with his commanding and versatile beats and complex rhythms that twist and turn, moving between heavy mid-tempo grooves, punchy breakdowns, and rhythmic complexity. Jan Brasser dominates with fierce, aggressive delivery that ranges from guttural shouts to more melodic and expressive lines. The vocal style is intense but retains clarity and emotional range, avoiding monotony and adding narrative expression.

Verdict — A Modern Fruit of Art

Overall, Severance is a modern metalcore fruit of art that blends technical craft, emotional resonance, and rhythmic weight. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but takes well-worn elements and makes them feel personal, cohesive, and intense — with strong writing, varied vocal approaches, and energetic playing throughout.

Closing — Fade, Fracture, and Final Spark

The album draws to a close with Letters. This hymn eases the mood right away. It pulls you into a gentle calm after all the earlier fire. Think of it like a dimming lamp. The light softens. It melts away slowly, like mist on a quiet morning. Sounds blend and drift. Vocals whisper low. Strings hum soft in the back. The whole feel unwinds bit by bit.

Yet, it does not just vanish. A spark builds under the surface. Tension creeps in late. Drums tap sharper. A guitar edge bites just once. That slight push of force – raw, quick – snaps the fade. Like a fuse burns brightly, then pops out. No big blast. Just enough grit to jolt you awake.

This mix seals it perfectly. Soft exit meets one firm kick. Leaves you hanging on the echo. Heart full, ears ringing faint. No loose ends.