I have reviewed this Italian bands last two full lengths the last one of which was released in 2014. The band has been relatively quiet since then with only a two track EP called “Chasm” showing up in 2016 that continued the bands post black metal aura with an atmospheric touch blended into the song writing. Initially the intro piece, “Quantum”, suggests that the atmospheric black metal formula is continued but once it has finished and “Matter” starts the song writing has taken a far darker and more sinister guise which isn’t to say that the album is purely malevolent, on the contrary, the fundamentals of the bands past works are evident but they have expanded their song texturing with a progressive leaning that works extremely well. The slower pace of “Matter” is another facet that adorns the album which produces great contrast within the songs and throughout the release.

Continuing with abject anguish is “Hyle” which has a soporific bouncing beat via the drum work which punches into every song and works to create a very melodic aura that suits the songs excellently. The switch in pace and vocal theatrics remind me of Swedish black metal act Shining, due to the ghostly vocal secretions that have an effect of lingering like a voice on the wind. I have referenced Katatonia in my previous reviews of their releases and again that influence is evident on “Cosmi” which has a morose but tuneful hook that is immersed in sorrow and is what I really like about this band’s music.

“Ifene” begins with a post blackened posture, delivering a calm melodic riff that also has that lingering echoing effect before the effortless shift in pace and density. The howling and clean vocals link beautifully creating a mesmeric song that is ornamented with bejewelled austere blasting phases that add a pernicious but grandiose factor. The last four songs standout massively for being the most ambitious and are spliced by an instrumental post rock like tune called “Fractals” which serves as a gateway to the last two opulent epics that starts with “Divide”. The song also has a serene video to it that matches the mood and emotion of the song which initially starts upbeat with a catchy riff and here there are huge similarities to Imperium Dekadenz except the vocals are hauntingly clean and spectral. In places I could reference Anathema, Porcupine Tree and a whole host of similar art rock outfits and whilst that comparison is apparent it should be taken as an influence rather than a style of cloning though the guitar work in “Divide” is extremely tearful possessing a heart wrenching spirit.

Closing the release is “Entropia” which I am predicting is maybe an amalgamation of the words of entropy and maybe utopia and contains lyrics that reference the album title. Again there is melancholy to the riffing that pulls hard on the heart strings and is coupled to background vocal effects or just plain atmospherics before switching the mood to a far more baleful style as the density is amplified. I love the atmospherics and emotion in this song, they are palpable as the song swerves cohesively into a harsher vocal style. The track has a powerful substance to it, the riffs tumble from the song like an obsidian shower and it is that ability to drive each song onwards with dolorous sombreness that make this album such an engrossing listen.

(8.5/10 Martin Harris)

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