Thergothon’s Stream from the Heavens: The Birth of Funeral Doom

Let’s be real—Stream from the Heavens by Thergothon isn’t the easiest album to love, but ignoring its monumental impact on extreme metal is impossible. This single release from a band that vanished almost as quickly as they appeared laid the blueprint for an entire subgenre: funeral doom. If you’re hunting for an album that changed the course of doom metal, this one’s a must-have for your collection. But let me warn you upfront: it’s not going to win you over with glossy production or catchy riffs. Thergothon didn’t care about that—they cared about crafting a sound so slow, crushing, and hopeless that it felt like a descent into the abyss.

Funeral Doom: The Genre Thergothon Built

Before Thergothon dropped Stream from the Heavens in 1994, the boundaries of doom metal had already been tested by bands like Anathema, Paradise Lost, and My Dying Bride. They were mixing death metal with slower, melancholic sections, giving birth to death-doom. But Thergothon took it to another level. They stripped away any excess flair and focused purely on atmosphere—long, droning riffs that made each note feel like it was dragging you deeper into the earth.

This album marked the true birth of funeral doom. It wasn’t just about being slow; it was about being oppressive, about evoking a feeling of total despair. And they did it with a simplicity that bordered on terrifying. While later funeral doom bands like Ahab, Mournful Congregation, and Bell Witch would refine the genre, adding layers of technicality and dynamic range, Stream from the Heavens was raw, pure, and uncompromising. It was funeral doom in its most primal form, and that’s what makes it so essential for collectors. If you’re serious about building a vinyl collection that covers all the critical moments in metal’s evolution, this record should be in it.

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The Sound That Defined Despair

What made Stream from the Heavens different from the death-doom that came before? For starters, the vocals. Those infamous Finnish “frog vocals” became a hallmark of funeral doom. Deep, guttural growls that seemed to rumble up from the depths of some forgotten cavern. Add to that the almost monolithic guitar tones—riffs so slow and downtuned they felt like tectonic plates shifting beneath your feet.

Thergothon didn’t chase the gothic elegance that bands like Anathema were flirting with. No, they tore all that away and focused purely on ambience. The atmosphere of this record is suffocating. Every chord feels like it hangs in the air forever, leaving you trapped in the gloom. The organ-backed death-doom riffs were the key here, creating an eerie, funereal vibe that set the standard for the genre.

But it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Well, okay, it was—but there was a subtle prog influence lurking beneath the surface. Not in the flashy, Dream Theater sense, but more in the avant-garde style of bands like Univers Zero or Shub-Niggurath. Thergothon pulled from the more abstract corners of prog, blending it with their crushing doom to create something that felt utterly alien. This wasn’t music to pump you up—it was music to drag you down into a void.

A Flawed Gem for Collectors

Now, here’s where I might lose some of you die-hard doom fans: I’ve got a bone to pick with this album. While the musical ideas are undeniably brilliant, the production just doesn’t do them justice. The lo-fi, murky mix strips away some of the power that funeral doom relies on. If you’ve ever seen a doom band live, you know what I mean—there’s a weight to the sound, a physical presence that shakes you to your core. That’s what’s missing from this record.

Sure, some might argue that the raw production adds to the bleakness, but for me, it feels like a missed opportunity. Later remasters of other classic ’90s metal albums have given them new life, fleshing out what was only implied in the original recordings. Stream from the Heavens hasn’t had that luxury, and as a result, its impact is muted compared to what it could have been.

Still, the lack of polish hasn’t stopped this album from becoming one of the most sought-after funeral doom records out there. It’s a cornerstone of the genre, and even with its flaws, it’s an essential piece of the puzzle. Plus, the fact that Thergothon disbanded shortly after its release, with members pursuing wildly different musical paths—shoegaze, trip-hop, and pop rock, no less—only adds to the album’s mystique.

Collecting Funeral Doom Vinyl: Why Stream from the Heavens Is a Must

For vinyl collectors, this album is more than just a piece of music—it’s a historical document. It’s the sound of a genre being born. If you’re into funeral doom, owning Stream from the Heavens is non-negotiable. This is where it all started. And because the band disbanded after just one release, original pressings are incredibly rare, making them highly prized among collectors.

Beyond its rarity, this record represents a shift in extreme metal. Thergothon didn’t just create another doom album; they laid the foundation for a genre that would continue to grow and evolve long after they were gone. From Skepticism to Bell Witch, every funeral doom band that came after owes a debt to this one release.

Looking to add more unique doom metal vinyl to your collection? Don’t miss out on other influential records from the ’90s. Explore vinyl records from the ’90s here or dive into more metal vinyl records here.