The despondent album title from this Italian outfits third release hints at what to expect overall though musically the pace varies quite a bit instead of sticking to some forlorn and destitute doom or slavering sludge. Instead Lento use depressive guitar riffs but fairly upbeat rhythms not too far off the likes of Baroness. The use of a myriad of guitar textures amongst the searing sadness has touches of Cult Of Luna. Also this is an instrumental album of thirteen songs which after the taunting despair of opener “Glorification Of The Chosen One” increases the tempo on “Death Must Be The Place” which has an arrhythmic tempo before the drop to a semi-acoustic piece. This is gently swept aside for a crushing heavy riff to close it and very like Baroness, a factor that continues into “Questions And Answers”, a tune that possesses a chaotic element but monster heaviness.

“Blackness” starts very gently and is stark contrast to the title track which has sweeping majestic guitar lines, that seem to swathe you in harmony and then caress you like a sledgehammer. “The Roof” is almost perversely catchy with its blackened melancholia as again more quiet guitar greets you on “A Necessary Leap” and accentuates how damn heavy this album is in places, with undercurrents of rumbling bass dragging the guitar riffs in slow meandering screams of tortured asphyxiation. “Underbelly” is appropriately titled with its booming bass fuzz distortion stitched against the sneak thief guitar work nipping in and out trying to be unnoticed. The burst of speed makes the song the most aggressive on the album as “Inwards Disclosure” is a soundscape of eerie feedback and effects.

“Unyielding / Unwavering” has a gloomy melody to it with added keys it appears but leaving the final track to knock some life into you on “My Utmost For His Highest”; a far more upbeat tune and maybe even a little out of place compared to the other songs. As a listening experience this is an album to sit back and relax, turn it up loud, have a few drinks on standby and laze back in the dark to absorb the unfettered primal energy it displays. 

(7.5/10 Martin Harris)

http://www.facebook.com/lento.icon