Reviewed by Ian Webber

Describing themselves as post-black metal, this Unionville, Tennessee-based outfit have released a first album that often sits closer to ambient music than black metal. With lo-fi production and a much more positive feel about the overall sound than run of the mill black metal, this recording provides a range of surprises. Opening with the stripped back "Lone", ambient keyboards create a throbbing riff that is highlighted by the addition of some understated strings. It is not long before the metal influences become apparent and "Wither" wades in with lumbering guitars and a raspy vocal that scratches almost unintelligibly over echoing chimes. Alternating between overwhelming brutality and more expansive washes of sound it is difficult to settle and enter in to the eight tracks on offer here. I also found the sloppy production off-putting as I listened and could hear clicks from the recording process that were distracting rather than adding anything to the overall sound. There were some highlights; the rapid-fire drums on "The Fear Unknown" added to the intensity of the music along with the hypnotic effect of the quieter sections showing some skill. Overall, however, the schizophrenic nature of this band's sound made it difficult to work out where the heart of this music is at, making it a recording that will probably have limited appeal.

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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