Artist: OPHTALAMIA
Album: A JOURNEY IN DARKNESS REISSUE (CD)

Release date: 1994/ 2004
EAN/UPS: 0801056723222
Media type: CD

This Swedish act was formed in 1989 by Tony "IT" Sarkka, mainly known for his dark band Abruptum, and his heavy presence in the Scandinavian black metal scene in the late 80's & early 90's. Ophthalamia was a land of pure fantasy created by IT and the songs are connected to stories based around this fantasyworld. The original vocalist of the band was All (also in Abruptum), but he was then replaced by Shadow (Jon Nödtveidt of classic death/black metal band, Dissection). Shadow handled vocals on this album, the band's debut, which was originally released in 1994. Though the band could be classified as black/doom metal, there is much more to Ophthalamia, with varied metal influences, tempo changes and melodic passages becoming progressively more prominent, helping to distinguish them from their peers. The album was produced by the legendary Dan Swano (Opeth, Katatonia, etc) & Ophthalamia at Unisound in 1993. This vinyl edition of 'A Journey in Darkness' includes original artwork, plus new notes from Metalion & Dan Swano, offering their recollections of IT, who passed away in early 2017.

TRACKLIST CD:

1        A Cry From The Halls Of Blood / Empire Of Lost Souls  2:26
2        Enter The Darkest Thoughts Of The Chosen / Agony's Silent Paradise      7:12
3        A Journey In Darkness / Entering The Forest    6:26
4        Shores Of Kaa-Ta-Nu / The Eternal Walk (Part II)    5:36
5        A Lonely Soul / Hymn To A Dream    0:50
6        Little Child Of Light / Degradation Of Holiness   9:54
7        Castle Of No Repair / Lies From A Blackened Heart   5:06
8        This Is The Pain Called Sorrow / To The Memory Of Me    8:23
9        I Summon Thee Oh Father / Death Embrace Me    1:56