Reviewed by Ian Webber

Returning to a more spacious, ambient sound, this recording sees the black metal duo from Nashville experimenting once again on their latest full length release. After some forays into aggressive grindcore, they have taken a step back and filled this album with soaring washes of chords and chiming synths. At times, as in "Come To Life", the pulsing nature of the tracks are almost meditative and surprisingly uplifting for a band that have in the past labelled themselves as post black metal. Matthew Plunkett still provides rumbles of barely intelligible vocals that add a percussive edge to the tracks that rarely feature any drums. The haunting "Blossom" swirls in a fashion that suggests dawn on a misty morning as the band explore and experiment with a mix of electronic and traditional sounds. Throughout the seven tracks there is a definite '70s vibe, but the pace of the music never really picks up in a way that would allow comparison with progressive rock. The most edgy track arrives in the form of "Accent" which features a more aggressive vocal and high notes provided by lone keys, once again adding to a haunting feel. This album has been produced to a really high standard with an enveloping warmth to the tracks and a crispness that allows every element to be heard. I ended up being pleasantly surprised by the variety on offer from this experimental outfit. SkyBurnsBlack Records have an act in Cryptic Rising that pushes at the boundaries of what can be called hard music in a satisfying way.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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