REVERYA is a mystical trio hailing from Tampa, Florida, whose sound drifts between the ethereal and thunderous. After the haunting debut EP Melinoe, they unveil their first full-length opus, Affliction In Bloom, set for CD release today October 24th, 2025.
This album is no ordinary collection of songs—it's a conceptual garden where each track blossoms as a distinct flower, embodying the trials and tenderness of human suffering. With titles drawn from nature’s poetry, each bloom holds symbolic weight, weaving an emotional tapestry meant to be experienced in full—start to finish, petal to petal.
The journey begins in stillness with "Allium", a soft, meditative prelude that eases listeners into the dreamy tendrils of "Wisteria".
"Allium" opens like a whispered incantation—two minutes of delicate acoustic reverie, drifting gently until faint, ethereal vocals rise like mist. The allium flower, symbolizing light and fortune, offers a soft blessing for the journey ahead. Rooted in garlic, it wards off darkness, setting the tone for the album's unfolding.
"Wisteria", one of REVERYA's earliest creations, bloomed even before the band fully formed. Born from political frustration, it reflects the dangerous allure of unchecked power. Like the Wisteria vine—beautiful yet poisonous—the song serves as a haunting reminder of the consequences of ignoring power’s dark side.
The album ignites with "Pyrophyte", a fiery counterpart to "Wisteria". With relentless screams, it mirrors escalating fury in the face of a corrupt, power-hungry world. Addressing global struggles, the song touches on war, division, and the uncertain future for younger generations. As chaos builds, a powerful, defiant singalong bursts forth, reminding us that we endure even through the fire. The title "Pyrophyte", referring to a plant that thrives in fire, symbolically connects to humanity’s resilience.
"Forget Me Not" follows, a tender exploration of the emotional weight in deciding whether to bring a child into this world of uncertainty reflected in predecessors, "Wisteria" and "Pyrophyte". Its soft piano and strings give way to raw vocals, capturing perhaps the most vulnerable moment on the record. The lyrics explore the anguish and desperation of parents watching their children suffer through internal and/or external struggles in such an evil and confusing world. Tender words cradled softly in warm blankets of orchestra and piano, cushioned with guitar chugs, and carried by luscious drums grooves. The chorus poignantly illustrates the anguish of making such a choice, intertwined in a desperate apology leaving the listener to ponder over the only solo featured on the album. The nursery door is closed but never forgotten with a callback to the chorus played softly on a child's toy music box.
"Dahlia", the final flower to bloom, was crafted swiftly and naturally by the trio. Partially inspired by the Black Dahlia murder, the song reflects betrayal and emotional disintegration. A fitting partner to "Forget Me Not", the track captures the dark beauty of the flower—both musically and visually—marking a shift in tone with thall influences. "Dahlia" and "Forget Me Not" serve as emotional companions, validating pain within.
The final act unfolds like the setting sun—"Lily" acts as a delicate interlude, bridging "Dahlia" and "Asphodel". Using a reimagined piano part from "Asphodel", it drifts into an ethereal, somber atmosphere. Its simplicity is carried by lyrical motifs, referencing the journey so far while foreshadowing the final chapters. The white lily, traditional for funerals, symbolizes the album’s reflection on grief and loss.
"Lily" acts as a delicate interlude, bridging "Dahlia" and "Asphodel". Using a reimagined piano part from "Asphodel", it drifts into an ethereal, somber atmosphere. Its simplicity is carried by lyrical motifs, referencing the journey so far while foreshadowing the final chapters. The white lily, traditional in funerals, symbolizes the album’s reflection on grief.
"Asphodel" began with an instrumental foundation crafted by Travis and Kaleb, then later tailored to honor a loved one who suffered a stroke due to a brain tumor, leaving them paralyzed with no memory or chance of returning to their previous self, only to breathe unconsciously completely dependent on life support. The gut-wrenching decision to set them free with a prayer for a peaceful afterlife inspired the lyrics and atmospheric soundscapes. We journey through the stages of grief in this song with a soft verse, a pre-chorus and breakdown filled with angry desperation, bursting into the song's powerful and sentimental chorus, leading into a healing and hopeful singalong outro. In Greek Mythology, souls who have passed must wipe their memory by drinking from the River of Lethe, before they are peacefully transitioned to the Asphodel Fields where they experience a peaceful, eternal afterlife.
"Magnolia" is a heartfelt tribute to a grandmother who passed away during the pandemic. The song began with the lyrics alone as just a poem or letter for her, acting as an answer to a recording of her urging her grandchildren to spend time learning her language, Arabic, as well as confessing the happiness she felt being with her grandchildren despite the far distance. The scent of the Magnolia flower is that of her perfume which evokes early childhood moments spent together. Through fear, aggression, hope, harmony, heartbreak, grief, and more, this soft, sentimental track is a perfect send off to bring this journey to a close.
Affliction In Bloom is not just an album but a timeless voyage—an invitation to feel deeply, to hurt and heal, and to find meaning in both bloom and decay. It is deeply personal yet universal, an elegy, a wish, and a love letter wrapped in petals and pain.
REVERYA is:
Nadine (Vocals/Keys)
Travis (Guitars)
Kaleb (Drums)
