Setting the tone with heavy and immersive guitar chords fused with psychedelic detailing, we enter a high-octane, death-metal hybrid universe with the opening track of Ophelia’s Eye‘s debut album, Hopeless World.
My Honor sets the tone for the record with introspective lyrics, “I’m not a bad person, it’s about my honor and my pride, they carry me through this lost time…”. The composition expands to deal with the theme of “exaggerated pride” something that the band perceive as “occurring increasingly in our narcissistic society”. They elaborate, “Furthermore, the protagonist’s insight into the deeds he has committed is fabricated based on pride, so that he does not have to deal with his own feelings of guilt.”
Speaking on the record as a whole, Ophelia’s Eye confess, “We dealt with a number of difficult situations, from suicide, misused trust, divisiveness, envy, greed and selfishness.”
For some context, Ophelia’s Eye is based on Olimpia’s Eyes from the novel “The Sandman” by E.T.A. Hofmann. The band elaborates, “Olimpia, for us, is a characterization for the goal we want to achieve with our music. We want to enflame the audience, bring them to life and cast a spell over them. Through our songs the listeners should also lose the connection to reality – at least for a while.”
We love this purpose and clear intention with their art, and feel highly connected to the opus as we move onto the second track, Fuck My Trust. The song which opens with a more melodic energy gives a glimpse into the torn soul from someone who has experienced what it is like to have their trust betrayed. We are in awe of the intricacy of the guitar work and the dramatic nature of the vocals.
Hopeless World is the title track of the record and opens with plucked arpeggiated guitar with a cosmic synthscape, we are mesmerized. The band says, “[We] try to deal with the Corona situation and what it has caused but also a wake-up call for society. We were left divided due to this difficult situation and disputes about different views. Wouldn’t our world be more peaceful and pleasant if we would try to understand each other and be empathic? Can’t we just try to reunite and make an impact through good deeds?”
Love is indeed the shortcut to world peace, and Ophelia’s Eye leaves us deep in thought with the powerful lyrics, “Open your minds, try to see behind, be open to empathize…”
Next up is Human Abyss, which “looks into the abysses of the human soul depicted with a protagonist who is psychopathically inclined and sees himself as God. Other human lives have no value for him and he sees his actions as a game.” We appreciate the wisdom that Ophelia’s Eye share with regards to their views on the societal and personal dangers of narcissism.
The band tell us that “I’m Explosive is a criticism of the hectic and very performance and reputation-driven life, and to what it can lead when not dealt with accurately.” This is something relatable to many artists and creatives and the perspective that the band from Dulliken in Switzerland is much needed.
Finally, Pain and Sorrow opens with the immersive and profound soundscape that we have become accustomed to throughout the record, and gives insight into a depressed and also hateful soul who doesn’t believe in the good of people and must endure a lot of psychological pain.” The concision to the narrative is something that can be interpreted in many ways, perhaps ego death, perhaps literal. Either way, a full circle moment.
We have added Hopeless World to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we have the record on loop. The band cites various influences from As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engage, Arch Enemy and Amon Amarth for song structure, Lamb of God for drum-style and Parkway Drive, In Flames and Periphery for sound design, but it is clear that Ophelia’s Eye is creating a universe of their own.