Umbersound — If The Flies Could Sing Review

The moment the listener hits the play button, they are welcomed by the haunting sounds of Wolves at the Door. This track envelops the listener in a haze of distorted instruments and reverberating vocals, sending chills racing down their spine. As the listener delves deeper into the experience with the second track, If the Flies Could Sing, along with the remaining eight pieces, they embark on a profound lyrical odyssey. Each song explores themes of mortality, metamorphosis, and the silent despair that resides in neglected corners of existence.

Umbersound is a powerful blend of crushing intensity and melodic beauty, meticulously crafted in a production that captures every nuance—each drop, tempo, riff, beat, and vocal. This sonic experience offers a robust auditory journey, challenging listeners to engage deeply rather than simply stroll through. It demands that modern distractions fade away, forcing you to the edge of your seat as the music sweeps you into a world where decay and beauty coexist. The album If the Flies Could Sing conjures striking imagery of a deteriorating natural world, where an unsettling silence is punctuated only by the soft buzz of flies, creating a hauntingly profound sonic landscape.

Joe D’Angelo stands as the visionary behind Umbersound, where his artistic and devilmanship prowess a weave of tapestry of sound that challenges the very essence of doom and death metal. Joe‘s guitar work creates a hauntingly theatrical atmosphere, characterized by down-tuned riffs that unfold in layers, revealing moments of raw vulnerability. The intensity of the drum work propels the music forward, infusing it with a powerful energy that captivates the listener. Each note resonates deeply, inviting an exploration of the darker realms of emotion and sound.

D’Angelo’s vocals are a fruit of art, and a force unto themselves, delivering harsh, raw and unpolished that evoke a sense of melancholy and loneliness echoing through the listener’s mind and spirit. They serve as a compelling driving force within the music, though their impact may vary from one listener to another. For me, his vocal style evokes the theatrical essence reminiscent of early Candlemass, particularly evident in the second track, “If The Flies Can Sing.” This piece encapsulates the epic nature of his artistry, drawing the listener into a world where sound and emotion intertwine seamlessly.

Simultaneously, the music of Umbersound is a fruit of art, marked by a rich tapestry of melody intertwined with a heavy resonance, skilfully merging the dark tones of doom and death metal. Joe‘s intricate compositions showcase a blend of slow, thunderous riffs that are punctuated by rapid, technical segments, resulting in a captivating auditory journey. The album evokes a haunting, almost surreal dreamlike atmosphere, enveloping the listener in a shroud of heaviness while introducing delicate, ethereal moments that create a striking contrast.

This interplay of sound mirrors the fragile equilibrium between existence and oblivion, comfort and discomfort, as well as love and animosity. The listener is drawn into a world where the weight of the music feels almost tangible, yet it is softened by the airy, gentle passages that float above the dense layers. This duality not only enhances the emotional depth of the album but also invites a profound reflection on the complexities of life itself. Umbersound is not to be missed, if you love doom/death metal, that’s heavy and melodic, then Umbersound is for you.

As the album comes to a close, the listener is introduced to the closing piece, An Open Letter To the Silent. The song welcomes the listener with the sound of the acoustic, and droplets of rain and whispers, as the music falls silent. We would like to thank The Metallist PR for allowing us to review Umbersound and his album If the Flies Could Sing.