Reviewed by Ian Webber

With tracks such as "Into The Vampyric Forest" and "Lost In Dracula's Tower" you already have some idea what style of music this Connecticut duo are going to deliver. The opening instrumental lulls you into a false sense of security however, with its almost orchestral "Midnight Chime (Witchcraft)". This progressive track is full of keys and washes of melody. After a short intro, we are then treated to an almost sinister slice of black metal. The keys give way to rasping, discordant guitars and drums that pound and echo in a-rhythmical pulses. By far the most dominant feature of the music on the first half of the album is the visceral hiss of a vocal that scratches and whispers between the guitars and string sections. With a definite style and imagery, a haunting picture is painted by the aptly named Phantom. It is not until the second half of the recording commences that the tone lifts with the spoken word of "Dark Into Light". With this the tracks become more accessible and memorable. Guitars start to sound cleaner even though the vocals gurgle and rumble with continued oppression as in "The Keeper". This atmospheric recording has the typical dirty sound of a black metal opus, providing a muddy base to the tracks. To punctuate the dirge, the drums, that should be punchy, at times sound a too one dimensional and fail to do the job. I also found some of the rhythms a little too primitive and lacking in variety. Having said this it is clear that the band are in the process of developing a style and will be an outfit to watch if you enjoy your music on the gloomy side of dark.

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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