Doom / Death is definitely one of my favorite genres. Even from the classic bands, I can always refer to this genre as one of the most interesting in Metal, as it combines factors that I really enjoy. ASCIAN, from Germany, has been around for five years now (since 2019), delivering this gorgeous Doom / Death Metal with their own elements. They’re heavy, dense, slow and melodic. It is what they have been showcasing since “Misery Seeds”, the self-titled single they put out in 21019 and that one year later became the first song of their first full-lenght “Elysion” (2020). If I were to list one more band to the top of Doom / Death Metal bands from the last 10 years, ASCIAN would definitely be there. I really like the way they move across some of the more classic characteristics of the style and that takes us back to the sound of bands like THE GATHERING, ANATHEMA, MORGION or even OPHTHALAMIA, to name just a small group of bands. The tempo changes as well as the use of clean and constant melodic voices and instrumental parts confer this album a touch of darkness that I couldn’t resist. They go from the oppressive aura found in the deepest praise of death, that is always present in Death / Doom per se and perhaps are capable of abstracting any higher mindset and sensation. “Sing To Me, Sweet Void” is a perfect reflection of how these type of bands should sound like, as they capture the essence of obscurity, nostalgia, tempo dynamics, different vocal approaches, atmospheres and feelings (‘Deathwish’, the last song of the album, gathers a more Black Metal approach). The album is over one hour long and it has a nine minutes average song length and it has been self-financed. These kind of bands are to be listened to in a very open state of mind as they will immerse you in a river of multiple emotions. An album that I can recommend to those who feel comfortable with more than linear up-tempo bands and albums. This is not that case! Check them out! www.facebook.com/asciandoom, https://asciandoom.bandcamp.com