It has taken me a while to put down my thoughts on this release as it is one of those albums where your opinion changes with every listening session; it is a very busy album with lots of influences included that sometime wain your interest occasionally. Opening tune ‘Thy Chthonic Cathedral’ has some Nevermore similarities, especially to Warren Dane’s vocals from Richard Beissert; yes he who bears the band’s name and who used to be in Gorilla Monsoon. The band sound fresh, there is a general combination of trying to be clever with a bit of “technical” riffing, “groove metal” and stoner/sludge breakdowns. Does it work? Yes…! Backed with some strong guitar work, ‘Age Ov Darkness’ sounds really groovy and Richard’s vocal style once again changes to something more monstrous. In the harmonies I find a nasal whine similar to EMO or The Lost Prophets, but the downright aggressive musical style matches the intensity quite similar to a hybrid of Mastodon, Baroness and Black Label Society.
This varied vocal phrasing reminds me of Devin Townsend, not for musical comparison, merely by the fact that they are rather mad cap and deranges in some places. As well as the don’s and ness’ influence, that BLS groove keeps coming, especially on ‘Perm Trias’. There are native German language tracks that kill my interest and I cannot get away from this modern sounding album as ‘Do What Thou Wilt’ sounds Emo-Maiden by the whiny vocal but downright bloody marvellous guitar work, proving to enhance a personal love/hate relationship of this album. ‘De Profundis Clamavi’ refers back to more progressive thrashing a-la Nevermore and this is where the majority of this album sits when you are not battered by the many sludgy undertones.
I had a particular rating in mind when I first heard this album; it has gradually increased over time as I can comfortably state that this is one of those releases that indeed develops with time. You will not find any quick fix with this album, there is way too much to take in at once and perhaps that is the crux here; I question whether it is too clever and varied for its own good. There is a quality that is likeable granted, but it’s really an eight year old groove metal album refreshed with up to date references.
(6.5/10 Paul Maddison)
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