Official Apathy Website
Label: Artnoir Productions
Rating: 7/10

Tracklisting
1 - The Mist and the Ocean
2 - Bitter Roots
3 - To End the Misery
4 - Come Sweet Death
5 - Into the Pale
6 - The Man Who Swallowed the Sun
7 - One with the Shadows
8 - Slumber
9 - Constance Willow

In the wake of Opeth's international success it is of course bound to spring forth dozens of acts trying to emulate their sound. Sweden's Apathy have definitely lent the masters of progressive death an ear over the years and this debut full-lenght comes off as maybe a tad too similar at times. There is also a strain of doom thrown into the mix, which echoes Katatonia at their heaviest. Thankfully band mastermind Viktor Jonas has a talent for writing some killer tunes and thus also manages to create something worthwhile, even if the end result is somewhat lacking of a personal touch. As said the slight lack of individuality is more than made up for by the quality of the material and with stuff like The Mist and the Ocean or The Man Who Swallowed the Sun Apathy prove that they deserve every bit as much respect as any of the aforementioned acts.

This album is self-released and I find that a bit surprising. A band so talented and with such a wealth of great songs should have no problem finding a label. It could be that Jonas has simply chosen this way to release his music but I wouldn't be surprised if Apathy are picked up by a bigger label soon. A killer debut that deserves to find its audience! If you are into Opeth or just melodic and slightly progressive death/doom in general you have to check this one out!

-Stefan Lejon