In the Distance

Well, I sure haven˙t expected this when I got hold of this album. Lately, I`ve been searching for some original and innovative black metal, and got this as a recommendation on another forum. First thing I noticed about this album is interesting cover which looks like a microscopic image of something, can˙t really figure out what, but who cares when It can get your attention, and this album certainly deserves it.

Easiest way to describe the music, would be black metal with plenty of 70`s progressive & psychedelic rock influences. This two heavily different parts are not separate, but rather mixed into one another with stunning results. One would expect that somewhat bad production would take away some of that beauty, but I think that it works in favor of this album. Every instrument is easily recognizable, especially bass guitar, which you don't hear very often in this genre, and it adds a nice groove. Drums are probably the least spectacular instrument on this release, but they do their job rather well.

For me, highly psychedelic atmosphere is the thing which sells this album. As soon as it starts, It sucks you right in, and doesn˙t let you go until it finishes. There are also many tempo changes, and alteration between clean and harsh vocals. Vocals are another thing worthy of praise, harsh stuff is really oppressive on ears, and the clean ones sound totally spaced out, like they are not from this world.

Only complaint that I have about this release, is complete lack of lyrics, because it seems that they could hold some interesting concepts and observations.

In conclusion, this is highly recommendable to anyone looking for some innovation and originality in somewhat tired genre of black metal.