Doomed Confessionary: Pim Blankenstein (Officium Triste)
Rotterdam, Netherlands based six-piece Officium Triste was formed in April 1994 with the purpose of creating slow, heavy and melodic doom/death metal. Inspiration was mainly found within the music of bands like Paradise Lost, Anathema, Chorus Of Ruin, My Dying Bride, Celestial Season and Katatonia.
Widely regarded as legends in the style, Officium Triste have mastered the art of playing emotive yet elegant music and have honed their sound even more on their seventh full-length album.
»Hortus Venenum«, coming September 6th, 2024 on Transcending Obscurity, is a special album as it celebrates the band’s 30th year anniversary and it’s remarkable that even after so many years they have continued to evolve and improve upon their already established sound. The songwriting is surprisingly effective with its disarming simplicity and clean, exquisite tunes soaked in heartfelt emotion, delivered with the kind of sincerity which only comes from years of experience, both as musicians and worldly men. The relatively shorter songs have a sense of immediacy that the previous albums didn’t have but their emotional depth is just as strong if not better than before.
There are tasteful embellishments all over the album without affecting the sense of continuity and cohesiveness; there’s diversity without disrupting the overall mood and the music’s innate evocative power. With intuitively arranged songs, it’s hardly perceptible that »Hortus Venenum« is the band’s shortest full-length album and yet it’s among their most potent ones – the beauty and appeal of the music on this one is nigh unparalleled. Suffice to say, it’s another masterpiece from this band that only seems to get better with age.
Officium Triste are Pim Blankenstein (vocals), Martin Kwakernaak (keyboards), Gerard de Jong (guitars), Theo Plaisier (bass), Niels Jordaan (drums) and William van Dijk (guitars).
Can you say a few words about your band?
Officium Triste started out in 1994 as a melodic doom/death metal band. So, 30 years old and still running.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Staying true to our style but keeping developing with interesting music.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Proud of everything we achieved so far and still doing this after 30 years.
What was your biggest regret?
In general: not kicking out our former bass player years earlier.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
There are several but from recent years our appearance at Candelabrum Metal Fest in Mexico, which was our first ever show on the other side of the Atlantic.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
When I discovered Shape Of Despair who gave a new twist to funeral doom.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Evergrey, Dipygus, Ashen, Edge Of Sanity.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Always follow your own path!
What are your guilty pleasures?
I don’t believe in guilty pleasures. There’s no shame in liking something.
Can you say something more about current music scene in Rotterdam?
It’s lively as ever and currentky the best band from this city must be DOOL.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Not a lot but we have some gigs with Marche Funèbre and Woen Unto Me coming up, and a bit later on we’ll be at Doom Heart Fest in Milan, Italy.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Right now, promoting our new album »Hortus Venenum«. And possibly working on new material.
How can people best support your band?
Coming to see our shows and buying merchandise.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Don’t stop listening to great music. There’s so much to discover.
Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well