Album Review – Sun of the Dying / A Throne of Ashes (2025)

These Spanish doomsters continue to walk the path of authentic Death and Doom Metal in their dark and heavy newborn opus.

Inspired by genre classics like My Dying Bride, Anathema, and Paradise Lost, as well as more modern bands such as Ahab, Swallow the Sun, and Shape of Despair, Madrid, Spain-based outfit Sun of the Dying walk the path of authentic Death and Doom Metal, unafraid to incorporate touches from many other styles, like what they have to offer us all in their third full-length opus, entitled A Throne of Ashes. Recorded by Simón Da Silva at The Empty Hall Studio, mixed and mastered by Javi Félez at Moontower Studios, and with a classy artwork and layout by Manuel Cantero of Signonegro, the new album by vocalist Eduardo Guilló, guitarists Casuso and Roberto Rayo, bassist José Yuste, keyboardist David Muñoz, and drummer Diego Weser sees the band take a step even further into the realms of doom, resulting in a worthy follow-up to their 2019 sophomore The Earth Is Silent.

Minimalist sounds gradually grow into an aria of sheer obscurity entitled Martyrs, with Diego’s slow, grim beats matching perfectly with Eduardo’s introspective vocals, who also delivers those deep, enraged guttural we all love so much in Death and Doom Metal. Then enhancing their heaviness to a whole new level, the band offers the massive Black Birds Beneath Your Sky, where Casuso and Roberto hammer their axes in the name of doom supported by the crushing drums by Diego; and David’s keys and orchestrations add an extra touch of finesse and melancholy to With Wings Aflame, flirting with Melodic and Blackened Doom Metal, all boosted by the charming vocals by guest Teresa Marraco of the excellent one-woman project Antinoë. David kicks off the heavy-as-hell, Black Sabbath-infused The Greatest of Winters, while Eduardo vociferates in the name of primeval Death Metal; followed by House of Asterion, even more sluggish, somber and hypnotic, with Casuso, Roberto and José doing an amazing job armed with their stringed weapons. And lastly, closing A Throne of Ashes we face another overdose of Doom Metal titled Of Absence, putting a climatic ending to the darkened path paved by the band in the entire album.

Gloomy and somber from start to finish, A Throne of Ashes is undoubtedly Sun of the Dying’s strongest effort to date, positioning them as one of the most promising names of the Death and Doom Metal scene worldwide. Those Spanish doomsters are waiting for you on Facebook and on Instagram with more of their music, news, and their undisputed live performances, and don’t forget to also stream their heavy and pensive music on Spotify, and to grab a copy of the excellent A Throne of Ashes from their own BandCamp, from AOP Records, or by clicking HERE. Spanish doom has always been a thing of beauty, and it’s bands like Sun of the Dying who make it even more inspiring and captivating as they sit triumphant in their throne of ashes.

Best moments of the album: Martyrs and Black Birds Beneath Your Sky.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 AOP Records

Track listing
1. Martyrs 9:08
2. Black Birds Beneath Your Sky 5:01
3. With Wings Aflame 5:09
4. The Greatest of Winters 7:03
5. House of Asterion 7:22
6. Of Absence 7:43

Band members
Eduardo Guilló – vocals
Casuso – guitar
Roberto Rayo – guitar
José Yuste – bass
David Muñoz – keyboards, orchestration
Diego Weser – drums

Guest musician
Teresa Marraco – vocals on “With Wings Aflame”

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