Dysthymian Interview

 

1. For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?

Somber: We started the band out of great appreciation for the depressive black metal of the mid 2000s. On EX VITA ABIRE, that's what we intended to play. 

Solemn: The luminaries of this style nourished our souls for a lifetime; now we bear the same bitter fruit.

2. Recently you have released your first full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

Somber: You just have to listen to the bands and albums in question. There's not much more to it, I think. The worship of that sound is the reason for DYSTHYMIAN. 

3. The band started working on the album in 2017 but waited until 2025 to release it, can you tell us a little bit more about the long wait?

Solemn: Merely the vicissitudes of life.

Somber: Things get re-organized and prioritized different as time passes, and some projects and songs get put on the shelf for a while. DYSTHYMIAN has been one of those projects. The big second reason is that it's very difficult to write in the correct mood for DYSTHYMIAN. The music is extracted out of depression, and all of its implications. 

4. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?

Somber: The lyrics have been inspired by Edgar A. Poe's poems, for the most part, outside of that – they're just lyrics that reflect the music appropriately, and vice versa. 

5. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Dysthymian'?

Somber: The name DYSTHYMIAN refers to the mental health diagnosis Dysthymia, which is a form of chronic depression. 

Solemn: Our target audience. 

6. Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

Somber: For us, the album cover resembles the cover of Nyktalgia's 'PEISITHANATOS' CD reissue 2013. Mentioned a lot, but it is one of the main inspirations for doing DYSTHYMIAN. 

Solemn: The artist is Arya Dwiva (Mortemraw Studio).

7. Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding the line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?

Somber: We have been communicating with other musicians a bit about becoming a trio. No additions to the band have yet been made. 

8. The album was released on 'Angerbada', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

Somber: Ångerbåda is the label that I release several of my unsigned bands through. That is Ångerbåda's only purpose though. 

9. On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of depressive black metal?

Somber: People seem to like it. Out of all the places that I've looked, there hasn't been anything negative yet. 

10. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Somber: We have our internal speculations about the next album and how to approach writing it. We both listen to a fair amount of classical music, Solemn definitely does. It might influence the next album. But time will tell. 

Solemn: We will continue to delve deeper into the sound that is DYSTHYMIAN.

11. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Somber: The main bands that are influencing DYSTHYMIAN are Nyktalgia and Sterbend. As for music I've listened to recently, new music seldom gets played. But I have been enjoying 'Syning' by Syning. Also 'Conscious Darkness' by Blaze of Perdition, although that one isn't new to me. 

Solemn: Particularly Nyktalgia, as well as other great DSBM artists, such as Austere, ColdWorld, Thy Light and Woods of Desolation – but all music that we enjoy imparts some sort of useful reference. I've been listening to the new and old Extra Life albums a lot since they reformed with a new line-up a few years ago. Some other recent releases I've enjoyed were Un Monde de Glace et de Sang (2020) by Sorcier des Glaces, The Falling Tide (2022) by Woods of Desolation and the last two albums by Afsky, Ofte jeg drømmer mig død (2020) and Om hundrede år (2023).

12. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

https://youtu.be/EmIF_W5eNWw

Dysthymian/Ex Vita Abire/Angerbada/2025 Full length Review

 

  Dysthymian  are  a  duo  from  Sweden  that  plays  a  very  depressive  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Ex  Vita  Abire"  which  was  released  by  Angerbada.

  A  very  fast  and  raw  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  depressive  black  metal  screams  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  Some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  nature  sounds  can  also  be  heard  briefly.  A  couple  of  tracks  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  along  with  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  mid  2000's  era  as  well  as  the  recording  also  having  its  atmospheric  moments,  spoken  words  and  synths  can  also  be  heard  briefly.

  Dysthymian  plays  a  style  of  depressive  black  metal  that  goes  back  to  the  classic  era  of  the  genre.  The  production  sounds  very  raw  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  anguish,  melancholy  and  the  weary  turning  away  from  life.

  In  my  opinion  Dysthymian  are  a  very  great  sounding  depressive  black  metal  duo  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "They  Are  Forever  Lost"  "Existentium  Est  Maledicto"  and  "Through  My  Fingers  To  the  Deep'.  8 out  of  10.

  https://youtu.be/EmIF_W5eNWw