Immersion Trench Reverie

One of the initially impressing things about this band is how they can bring in so many atmospheric black metal elements but still not seem like a drag by the end of it. Think of bands like Wolves in the Throne Room or Drudkh (I get a feel of Autumn Aurora from 2004) where you can just space out, but you can still wake up and enjoy it with full consciousness and not get bored. This is my first exposure to the band. Interesting side note, this is their fourth album in 5 years.

The writing is enjoyable because of the reason listed above but each individual instrument is decently written on it's own. The guitars have some catchy dissonant leads like on "Old Alpine Pang" and "Shrillness in the Heated Grass". In addition to that, we also get some more traditional lead guitar work on "Velvet on the Horns". Nothing too technical or impressive, but just enough to catch your attention. The bass did it's job; Nothing more, nothing less. The drums are a little generic but keep time well. The vocals are what stands out other than the guitars. Here it's not so much the sound of the vocals, but the writing of them. There are truly unique and interesting vocals patterns here! It's not too often on a black metal release do you get a treat like that. Each time the album circled back to "Shrillness in the Heated Grass", my ears shot to the forefront. That is the best example on the album of well written vocals.

The band has a respectable ability to formulate mood. As noted above, they have some depressing moments where the pain seeps through, but never for too long. They know when one emotion has overstayed it's welcome and transitions to a new one. There is hope on the horizon, even in their darkest moments. There's a little bit of a warm aesthetic to the album. This could be due to the warm and cozy tones on the album art, or more likely, the cabin feel. You will literally hear sounds of creaking floorboards, wind chimes, dogs barking in the distance, fire crackling, and a very specific scene of old and wooden dresser drawers being shut (You know, the kind with the metal knobs that knock against the drawer when shut). Those bits are all very pleasing. Lately, I'm wondering if there is a secret true track listing (Like on The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me by Brand New) because the album both starts and stops with wind chimes. Could be just an opener re-used to indicate finality

Favorite tracks:
--Shrillness in the Heated Grass
--Velvet on the Horns
--Jubilat

Technical Skill: 58% Originality: 63% Song writing: 69% Album structure: 72% Production: 73% Approachable: 75%