A recommendation from Carpe Mortem! Onward to the review...
You see that, the masterful album cover of this album? That's only part of the treat in store! I wasn't certain of what to expect when Carpe recommended that I gave this album a listen so I could review it. All I knew is that he wanted me to check it out because I thoroughly enjoyed Dopesmoker by Sleep. So what does this album sound like, then? Ethereal, doomy, fuzzy, chalk full of just the right amount of texture. Did I mention it's pretty damn heavy, too? Because it is. But it isn't the kind of heavy pretty much every single one of you thought of when you read that last part; brutal death metal. No, see this is the kind of heavy that is HEAVY, as in the way music can feel heavy when you listen to it sometimes. This is a great kind of heavy, because it isn't that overdone heavy that so much death metal or metal in general abuses. This is tasteful heavy, and it is SO DAMN GOOD!
The album is on part instrumental, and one part vocals. I found this to be a really enjoyable contrast to the album. Each of the instrumental tracks were perfectly placed on the album, opening with the excellent
Torn By The Fox of The Crescent Moon. This track hooked me from the moment it began. Thick bass, fuzzy guitars, some little lead licks in there too, and the drums are thunderous. This song has one of the best build ups on the entire album, so that was a very good sign for me that the entire album would be really, really good. Following the opener, is the moody, dark, and atmospheric
There Is A Serpent Coming. Now. I didn't know what the singer would sound like, and at first I wasn't sure if there was a singer after hearing the opening track. When the singer did come on, though. I was pleasantly greeted by this booming, smooth voice. I could tell that maybe it was from a slightly older guy than I'm used to hearing in music like this, but I was really digging it. And the writing, or rather lyrics were so tastefully picked, the wording was really great. See. A lot of lyrics in a song isn't always the way to go about things, less is truly more sometimes. There Is A Serpent Coming, killer track!
Next up is my favorite track from the album,
From The Zodiac Light. This song just has the perfect balance, and everything going for it. The vocals are soulfully delivered, the musicianship is impressive, and the overall tone of the song kicks so much ass. Can't say that I have been this impressed with a song in several years. A colossal track! I must have listened to this song alone about twenty times while at work. Couldn't get enough of it! Damn, give me more of that brilliant music!
Next up is the second instrumental track of the album,
Even Hell Has Its Heroes. It lays out the perfect introduction to one of the best closing songs I've ever heard on an album. Please do not skip this track, as you'll be missing something crucial to the album.
Finally, but also sadly because I didn't want this album to end, the album comes to a triumphant close with the chilling
Rooks Across The Gates. Truthfully, I was torn between favoring this song over From The Zodiac Light, because they're both so damn good. But I love it when I can listen to an album, and I can't really pick a favorite because the entire album is so solid. Rooks Across The Gates unravels in masterful fashion, starting off eerie, somewhat light, but then that fuzzy guitar, thick bass and thunderous drumming kicks in. Throughout the song, there are gradual builds. And really, the song is rather beautiful. I couldn't have asked for a better conclusion to a flawless record!
Thanks to Carpe Mortem for recommending Earth. This will be listened to extensively.
Highlights from the album...
Torn By The Fox of The Crescent Moon
From The Zodiac
Rooks Across The Gates
10/10