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| This interview was made in collaboration with Last Cathedral Records |
In this interview, Filipe Ariston, vocalist and guitarist of Doom of Death, discusses the band’s participation in The Silent Remains compilation, the biblical and spiritual themes shaping their music, and the evolution of their sound. He also reveals details about the band's upcoming full-length concept album, which will explore the biblical journey from Creation to the Flood.
Asmoth: Being part of The Silent Remains places Doom of Death alongside very different forms of Doom Metal. What did you think when you first discovered the concept behind the compilation and its connection with the cause supported by Last Cathedral Records?
Filipe Ariston: When we first discovered the concept behind The Silent Remains, we thought it was a very interesting initiative. Doom Metal has many different faces, from traditional and epic Doom to much darker and more extreme forms, so bringing these different approaches together makes the compilation special. We also appreciate the fact that the project is connected to a meaningful cause through Last Cathedral Records. For us, being part of something that goes beyond simply promoting bands makes the experience even more valuable.
Asmoth: “Day of Wrath” was chosen to represent Doom of Death on the compilation. Why did this particular song feel like the right introduction to the band for people who had never heard you before?
Filipe Ariston: We felt that “Day of Wrath” was a good representation of Doom of Death because it carries several of the elements that define our sound: heaviness, melancholy, epic atmosphere and a strong sense of judgment and spirituality. It is a song that gives the listener a fairly immediate idea of what Doom of Death is about, both musically and lyrically. For someone discovering the band for the first time, we believe it works as a good doorway into our world.
Asmoth: Doom of Death appeared quite recently, in 2024. What was happening musically or personally when the idea of creating the band first came together?
Filipe Ariston: Doom of Death started with an initial invitation to form a Doom Metal band, but that original project never really came together. However, the idea led to the first compositions, and from that material the project gradually began to take shape. Musical ideas were developed and reused, while experienced musicians from bands in which the founder of Doom of Death had previously been involved were brought together.
Once the first songs were ready and the lineup was established, Doom of Death officially began its activities. What started almost unintentionally eventually became a serious project with its own identity and direction.
Asmoth: Candlemass, Isole, Evangelist and Forsaken are among the names connected to your influences. What did you take from these bands without wanting Doom of Death to simply sound like a tribute to them?
Filipe Ariston: These bands have certainly influenced us, especially in the way they use slow riffs, melody, atmosphere and epic arrangements. Candlemass taught us a lot about the foundations of Epic Doom, while Isole, Evangelist and Forsaken showed us different ways of combining heaviness with melancholy and strong melodies. But we don't want Doom of Death to sound like a tribute band. We take elements that inspire us and reshape them through our own songwriting, themes and Christian perspective.
Asmoth: Christianity, judgment, perseverance and redemption are central to your lyrical universe. Do you begin with the biblical subject you want to explore, or does the music sometimes lead you towards the theme?
Filipe Ariston: Usually, the lyrical process begins with the biblical subject or idea that we want to explore. The Bible provides a very rich universe of themes for us: creation, sin, judgment, suffering, perseverance, redemption and the human relationship with God. Once we have the theme, the music and lyrics develop together. Sometimes, however, a musical idea can create a certain atmosphere or emotion that leads us toward a particular biblical subject. So it works both ways, although the central theme is usually established first.
Asmoth: Valley of Shadows uses keyboards, liturgical elements and even Latin passages alongside traditional Doom Metal. Were these elements part of the original concept, or did they gradually become part of the band's identity during the writing process?
Filipe Ariston: These elements were part of the band's original concept. From the beginning, we wanted Doom of Death to have an ancient, spiritual and almost ritualistic atmosphere, and Gregorian chants, Latin passages and keyboards naturally became part of that vision. They helped us create a contrast between the crushing weight of Doom Metal and a more solemn and sacred atmosphere.
However, with the writing of our new album, From Eden to the Ark — although the title is still being defined — we decided to take a different approach. For now, we are leaving the liturgical elements aside, and all the songs will be written entirely in English. This doesn't mean abandoning the atmosphere or identity we established with Valley of Shadows, but rather allowing Doom of Death to develop in a new direction while keeping its core intact.
Asmoth: Your debut EP already gives a very clear impression of where Doom of Death wants to go. For the next full-length, are you planning to expand this formula or take the band into territories you haven't explored yet?
Filipe Ariston: We definitely want to develop the identity established with Valley of Shadows, but not simply repeat its formula. The new full-length will explore a more focused and cohesive approach, with all the songs written in English and without the liturgical and Gregorian elements that were part of our debut EP. At the same time, we want to preserve the things that are essential to Doom of Death: slow and heavy riffs, melancholy, epic atmosphere and strong lyrical storytelling.
The album will also give us more space to develop the arrangements and the narrative, with more dynamics, melodies, keyboards and leads. So in some ways it will be a continuation of what we started, but in others it will represent a new phase for the band.
Asmoth: With Valley of Shadows now behind you, what can you reveal about the next album? Do you already have a concept or direction in mind for Doom of Death's first full-length?
Filipe Ariston: Yes, the first full-length already has a clear concept. It will be a concept album that follows the biblical narrative from Creation through the fall of humanity and its consequences, eventually reaching the Flood. The idea is to tell this story as a continuous journey, rather than simply writing seven unrelated songs. The Flood will represent the end of this cycle, so the album will move from the beginning of creation toward corruption, judgment and destruction. We believe this concept gives us a much larger canvas to explore the identity of Doom of Death