The Flashcards: Officium Triste - Hortus Venenum (2024)

70/100

Genre: Atmospheric/melodic death/doom metal

Officium Triste's latest album is somewhat disappointing. It lacks a compelling, emotional opening hook on par with "The End is Nigh." Wading through it repeatedly yielded no real connection. It wasn't until I reached the threshold of the exit, "Angels with Broken Wings," that I finally found myself bowing my head in deep mourning.

"Why wasn't this placed at the front? Why is this the only track capable of piercing my heart? I wanted more, like the previous album."

The final playback has been initiated. Consequently, a couple of other tracks have surfaced as potential saving graces—even if they still sit slightly below my standard and I'm unsure if they'll stand the test of time—namely, "Anna's Woe" and "Walk in Shadows."

Tracklist:

1. Behind Closed Doors

2. My Poison Garden

3. Anna's Woe

4. Walk in Shadows

5. Forcefield

6. Angels with Broken Wings

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