What makes it sound modern compared to ordinary doom? The diversity of course. The old heavy metal centric themes reduced and heavier influences took their place. Aura Hiemis preferred to use the contrast of melancholic melodies and death/doom referring heaviness, to operate with clear singing and deep growls the same time. However the melancholy stayed dominant and the sympathy for death/doom just minimally expanded to the themes. The depressive, mystical impression that just flows from "Terra Umbrarum" somehow seems to keep referring back to romance and lovesickness, so the main view isn't so desperately dark either to call for a priest urgently to administer the last rites. The unexpected intros cutten from "Lord of the Rings" also keeping the romantic touch. In the case of one man bands there is the danger that the outcomes will be too monotonous and unifacial, but Mr. Felipe V. really did his best. He played on guitars, bass, keyboards and did the clear singing and growling vocals too. The only weak point could be the programmed beats, that simply cannot offer even nearly the similar intensiveness that real drums could. The double bass doesn't sound more effective than tapping fingers on table. "Terra Umbrarum" is a double album, and the second part (Misery) is like another (and weaker) alternative of the first one (Ruin). By this extended lenght and diversity, the album coud be a potencial long term favorite for doom metal fans.
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