Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Ovid's Withering - The Cloud Gatherer (2012)

It's tough when a promising band is marred with its founder's horrid allegations. But you know me as the kind of person who separate art from artist most of the time. If you enjoy something that's good or even awesome despite a problematic member, don't be shamed into not liking it. With that said, it's as good as The Breathing Process's debut but not as awesome as that band's next two albums. The symphonic blackened deathcore sound is combined with the tech-djent polyrhythms of Meshuggah.

Ovid's Withering also seems to have cranked up the keyboards in an attempt to sound epic. It's fine but a little too pompous, like slightly too reliant of the orchestration of Septicflesh. Still it's in good flow with the guitar harmonies, riffs, melodies, crushing breakdowns, and drumming machinery...

The dark djenty wonders commence in "Panikon Deima", in which the soloing appears to takes some hints from Periphery. Adding to the symphonic extreme-core is the guitar technicality and growled vocals, even power metal-esque fantasy lyrics. Next track "Oedipus Complex" has more of the symphonic black metal influences to remind some of Dimmu Borgir including some orchestration and higher shrieks. Final track "The Omen of Lycaon" is the most deathcore-fueled of all, particularly in the vocals.

I wouldn't say there's much originality in The Cloud Gatherer, but Ovid's Withering have made a well-produced EP. The aggression is never lowered by the keyboard atmosphere, though the latter could've been less overpowering. This, and those allegations, makes me hesitant to explore further. Nonetheless, enjoy these symphonies of aggression...

Favorites: All 3, but my true favorite is "Panikon Deima"