It is immeasurably inspiring to find an album with such a unique and refined vision as Wither have done with their debut Necropolis. Majestic and ghostly, the album is a phantasmagoria projecting hazy figurations unparalleled in their dismal and hopeless nature. Wither´s unique atmosphere began to take shape on their debut split with the appropriately paired German funeral doom titans Worship, followed by the development of a stronger black metal influence on their self-titled EP; the band presented a foundation based on the work of fellow countryman Abyssic Hate as well as funeral doom staples Thergothon and Skepticism. However, Necropolis presents a compelling development in sound with the integration of influences from 80´s post-punk/goths such as The Sisters of Mercy, as well as an undeniable nod to the unshakably compelling minimalism of Brave Murder Day´s instrumentation. In these dark days there are very few albums push up through the morass of lazy and uninspired metal being released, but Wither´s debut is undoubtedly one of the few. Not to mention that the utterly sorrowful atmosphere is elevated to new heights by Kogaion Art´s bleak cover design. Ultimately, this may be the most vehemently dispirited and emotionally crushing album to see the pale moonlight since the likes of Alloy and Suicidal Emotions.
