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Ophthalamia was a Swedish band centered around an individual using the alias IT. Throughout the years members have come in and out of the band, many of them well-known musicians on the Swedish black / death metal scene. Among them are Dissection's own Jon Nödtveidt who is actually the vocalist for this debut album from the band, here using the alias Shadow. The other musicians featured on this album are Mourning from Pan-Thy-Monium on bass and Winter from Edge Of Sanity on drums. Axa also contributes with her female vocals and piano skills in a couple of songs. We all know what happened to Jon Nödtveidt but non-musical events would also eventually lead to the demise of Ophthalamia as band leader IT grew tired of the whole black / death metal scene and moved away to never be heard from again. "A Journey In Darkness" is the debut album from the band but you can easily tell that it is not the first time the members touch their instruments. IT had been working on the project since the late 80s and now it was time to show the world what he had come up with which is a slow, melancholic and melodic form of black metal. The atmosphere reminds me pretty much of Dissection but Ophthalamia is less intense and more doom metal influenced. The music itself is not extraordinary but quite nice and performed by capable musicians. The vocals from Jon are well done but the most impressive thing about the album is the lyrics. You all know by now that I generally don't care much for lyrics but there are a few bands who are wonderful exceptions to the rule that all lyrics are crap and Ophthalamia is one of those. In fact, IT should perhaps have considered becoming a poet or writer instead of a musician but as you see here it can all be combined. While not being an exceptional album, "A Journey In Darkness" is for those of you with an interest in the early days of the Swedish black / death metal scene. The liner notes say that "IT would like to dedicate this album to EURONYMOUS and DEAD: hope you found each other, I'll be there soon...".
| Tracklist |
| 1. A Cry From The Halls Of Blood / Empire Of Lost Dreams |
| 2. Enter The Darkest Thoughts Of The Chosen / Agonys |
| Silent Price |
| 3. Journey In Darkness / Entering The Forest |
| 4. Shores Of Kaa/ta/nu / The Eternal Walk Pt. II |
| 5. A Lonely Soul / Hymn To A Dream |
| 6. Little Child Of Light / Degradation Of Holyness |
| 7. Castle Of No Repair / Lies From A Blackened Heart |
| 8. This Is The Pain Called Sorrow / To The Memory Of Me |
| 9. I Summon Thee Oh Father / Death Embrace Me |
: 47.54
| Buy other Ophthalamia albums |
