REVIEW

The second album from Italian cosmic doomgaze duo Hermyth.

Formed in 2021 by Nick Magister (guitar, synth, drums) and Therese Tofting (vocals), Hermyth carries a strong lineage from doom metal—Nick previously played in Ghostheart Nebula, while Therese was part of Funeral Void. The band name likely blends Hermes, the Greek messenger god, with the concept of myth. Their sophomore release, “Aether”, takes its title from the classical “fifth element” once believed to fill the heavens. Though scientifically obsolete, the term remains symbolic of otherworldly beauty—a quality reflected throughout the album’s sound.

Sonically, “Aether” marries majestic keyboards and shimmering guitar with Therese’s ethereal vocals, perfectly evoking the album’s celestial theme. Compared to their debut, the guitar tones here glisten more and the vocals are pushed forward, slightly reducing the immersive, shoegaze-like haze of the earlier work. Nevertheless, song lengths remain relatively concise, and the focus on vocal melodies offers a more accessible experience for listeners who might find doomgaze or post-rock’s typical expansiveness challenging—a contrast to longer-form projects like ISON.

#1 “Heavens” features sparkling guitars and synth waves reminiscent of starlight, paired with fleetingly beautiful vocals, conjuring a sense of astral flight and spiritual transcendence. One might liken it to a doomgaze reimagining of Noriko Watanabe’s “Phoenix”.

#2 “Aether” draws on folk and traditional music for an exotic, mystical atmosphere, evoking the ancient experience of finding mythological meaning in the stars and approaching the heavens with reverence.

#5 “Divination” features guest vocals from Gogo Melone (Aeonian Sorrow), whose vibrato-laden performance adds a fiery counterpoint to Therese’s serene voice—if Therese represents a cool blue Rigel, Melone blazes like Aldebaran.

#6 “The High Priestess” is the album’s most atmospheric piece, fully immersing the listener in the world of “Aether”. Its ten-plus-minute runtime allows for slow absorption, evoking a vast starry sky behind closed eyelids.

While shoegaze textures are somewhat restrained, Hermyth’s mythic cosmic vision remains fully intact. Surrender to the aether and enjoy this 44-minute interstellar journey.