Artist: Dione
Country: Poland
Label: Self-released
Formats: 10″ EP / CD EP
Year: 2023
The seeds of Dione, a Polish one-man project consisting of Krystian Łukaszewicz, must have been sown some time ago. It almost has to be, to pull of an EP of the quality and complexity of ‘Cosmosphere’ within months after forming the band. Maybe it is due to the clear inspirations that triggered the formation of the band and on the first recording lie prominently at the surface. The music that Dione presents is dissonant Black Metal with intense pace and semi-distorted vocals, much in the vein of Deathspell Omega, Icelandic bands like Svartidauði or the Dutch band Wesenwille. Shifting atonal riffs and thundering drums (that in ‘Cosmological Fragments’ sound as if they have most likely been programmed) are arranged in a chaotic and disorienting fashion, although the occasional more traditional riff or a drop to medium pace offer some welcome relief. The songs are relatively short in comparison, with ‘From Obliteration to Macrocosm’ taking the crown as the lengthiest track at a bit over five and a half minutes. Compared to its peers, this more concise songwriting approach leaves a little bit less room for building upon the inherent atmosphere in certain sections of the songs and this probably enhances the chaotically shifting nature of ‘Cosmosphere’ a bit. Having said that, both the aforementioned song and the predominantly midpaced instrumental ‘Resonance above the Unknown’ allow for a little bit more breathing room. In part due to that extra later, ‘From Obliteration to Macrocosm’ takes away prize of best song of the record, featuring the best of extreme and atmospheric elements of the music in addition to some of the most impressive vocals on the EP.
For a first recording in a complex style, ‘Cosmosphere’ is an impressive release. It has the fury, the chaos, the intensity and a hint of the bewitching atmosphere of its peers, and for a debut attempt does exceptionally well to emulate this style.
