The German band Empyrium enjoyed a rather unique, if not
particularly long, musical career, in a field more or less
by themselves.
Basically, Empyrium recorded two metal albums
followed by two non-metal albums, and though the transition from
metal to non-metal is natural and seemless, it might be easiest
to describe the two phases of the band separately.
The first two albums, A Wintersunset and
Songs Of Moors And Misty Fields, are best described as atmospheric
doom, with an emphasis on longer, relaxed, drawn out passages, with
numerous acoustic instruments (keyboards, flutes, clarinets)
complementing the guitars,
and several folk elements alongside the more traditional doom
riffs.
The vocals alternate between a black rasp and an attempt at
a deeper, goth baritone (not always successful, at least at this
stage of his career).
Though Moors is the more developed of the two (and thus a slight
favorite over Wintersunset), both of these albums retain a rich
majestic feel that should win them favor among atmospheric doom fans.
Following the first two albums came
Where At Night The Wood Grouse Plays in 1999, followed by
Weiland in 2002.
These two album essentially drop the metallic aspect of the band
and focuses on the acoustic folk element that was present on the first
two albums.
The dark moods remain, and the vocals are much improved (the original
vocalist is better, and he is complemented by a trained classical
vocalist).
Though there's nothing on these albums related to metal (or even
rock), they are similarly interesting from an emotional standpoint.
The band decided they had accomplished all they had wanted to, and
broke up after the release of Weiland, but reformed in 2010.