REVIEW

The debut album from Australian blackened doom metal duo Spiine.

Spiine was formed as a collaboration between Virgin Black guitarist Sesca Scaarba (Samantha Escarbe) and former Ne Obliviscaris vocalist Xen (Marc Campbell). The band name, meaning “spine,” symbolizes the fusion of their creative cores and a shared commitment to convey the dark, miserable despair that defines their music. The double “i”s in both the band name and track titles emphasize this mutual bond.

The album features drums by Waltteri Väyrynen (Opeth, ex-Paradise Lost) and bass by Lena Abé (My Dying Bride), assembling one of the most formidable lineups in modern doom. While Virgin Black was known for orchestral grandeur and choral arrangements, Spiine strips back embellishments to focus on guitar-driven funeral doom. Xen’s expressive screams and growls depict sorrow, pain, and despair, plunging listeners into an uncompromisingly cold and merciless dark world.

The album unfolds over four intense tracks:

#1 “Myroblysiia”
Blends funeral doom-style long tones with brooding tremolo riffs, weaving doomgaze, post-rock, and DSBM influences. Introductory piano echoes under mournful guitars reminiscent of MONO performing a requiem. As heavy long tones emerge, solemn orchestral lines merge with Xen’s guttural roar, pulling the listener into the abyss.

#2 “Glaciial”
Pairs crushing, oppressive guitars with Xen’s growls in a relentlessly dark doom landscape. Heavy strings bring a fleeting glimmer of light, but Sesca’s guitar and Xen’s vocals soon drown it in darkness. The melancholic guitar work toward the end stands out as a highlight.

#3 “Oubliiette”
Uses tremolo riffs effectively to create a hybrid of funeral doom and DSBM. Layered orchestral textures contribute to what is perhaps the album’s most “gaze”-infused track.

#4 “Wriithe”
Opens with ghostly moans, crawling through shadowed, oppressive riffs. A quiet, ethereal interlude offers a brief light, before shifting into black metal-inspired bursts. The track closes with mournful, requiem-like melodies, returning the spirits to the abyss.

True to its title Tetraptych, meaning “a series of four panels,” the album delivers a concentrated one-hour journey across four elaborate compositions—an exceptional treat for fans of dark music. While firmly rooted in funeral doom, its relatively melodic accessibility may appeal to listeners of dark doom-gaze bands such as FVNERALS and Presence of Soul.

As of December 2, 2025, Lena Abé (My Dying Bride) officially joined as a full member. This indicates that the project will continue, and fans should stay tuned for future developments.