Triarchy
Broken Dreams
6.9
This will probably be one of the shorter reviews in MetalReview history, but there’s only so much to be said about a two-song demo, even if it is quite palatable. Triarchy hails from Brazil and plays none of the thrash that their countryfolk are best known for. Rather, this six-piece act delivers a well-balanced platter of gothic doom. On vocals, they alternate a mid-pitch female singer (Juliana) with Pablo, who both growls and sings in a low, droning timbre; pretty standard goth-metal vocals all around. The guitarwork sets them apart, as somber melodies are first and foremost. I’d bet that My Dying Bride and Silentium are favorites of the band.
“Broken Dreams” comes first, with Luciana’s keys setting a mood of despair that carries throughout all 12 minutes of the disc. Yuri’s guitarwork seems to float behind the drums in the mix, but his melodies remind me of another fine doom band, The Prophecy (UK). They avoid any sort of obvious climax on this song, instead building in intensity slightly, then just staying there. “Emotional Daze” does it right, being heavier, and plodding along steadily. The guitar line accenting the chorus is perfectly placed to enhance what is otherwise a pedestrian chorus. They turn up the intensity ¾ of the way through, with haunted house keys, a thrashier backing, and even a stray blastbeat.
Triarchy is a young band with the raw skills to pull off successful gothic doom. Future releases should see them tightening up their act further, but this is a fine start.
