Atmospheric and emotional doom here with a narrative of existential soul-searching. You probably worked that out by the band name already. This is a very personal project of Simon Bibby former member of Seventh Angel and My Silent Wake and he is responsible for almost everything here apart from mixing, mastering and some low growly vocals courtesy of (and yep you probably guessed this too) Greg Chandler of Esoteric. This has quintessential British flavours of misery but is not an overwrought listening experience of the 40 Watt Sun variety of wrist-slitting angst, more in line with the unholy trinity and essentially Anathema.

Over its seven tracks, various moods and emotions are employed as well as some instruments that add variety and take it away from being an entirely morose affair. A bit of a solemn death march greets us on ‘As The Light Fades’ and is more than suitable as I look out the window writing this to a bank of thick fog on Monday morning. Vocals are clean and harmonic and classic sounding guitar lines glisten offering some hope as our pilgrim textures things in a slow and beseeching fashion. The first track sets the mood and the oft repeated title gives a definite air of sadness and melancholia but it’s a more than comfortable one that lovers of misery are bound to embrace. Keyboard tinkles as we set to tip over ‘The Precipice’ and one does get the feel narratively of an arduous journey that sees our devotee travelling over landscapes of desolation. Subtle choral parts and weeping guitar are the sound of their suffering but and vocals are both heartfelt and uplifting as they unburden themselves.

It’s woodwind, possibly a recorder that is utilised to enrich the melody on ‘Yearning’ along with spoken word parts it poignantly gets to the heart of the matter on introducing a song full of craving desire. One should by now realise the music is not likely to break into a sweat, the ethos of doom is stuck to without a hint of death musically intruding and it’s the simplicity of the harmonies which are ultimately going to endear you to this. Speaking of which we get some gorgeous tones within ‘When The Spirit Departs The Soul’ which are bound to effect anyone who has witnessed the process at the side of a loved one. The Highland flavour of a bagpipers lament really is quite touching and yes tears may well be shed. For the rest of us, life prevails with the heart-beating chug of ‘Confessions,’ the most buoyant part of the album adding a certain weight with the guitar sound and Chandler’s gravid low roars. We have had various pipes sounding off and it’s time for another, the unmistakable call of the Andes via the panpipes on ‘Aefnian’ apparently a time when evening descends. Restraint has been used as far as length is concerned but after this folky rendition complete with backing female vocals (apparently from daughter Alana) we go on ‘The Search For Meaning’ with the epic closing chapter left to sprawl over 14 ½ minutes. Naturally having witnessed all that has proceeded it, this is a sublime, gentle and lilting way to slowly ebb out on.

There’s plenty going on here and a tale to truly immerse yourself in and absorb. The album needs time and careful listening to unveil itself but Bibby does a fine job of drawing you into the depths at the heart of things here. That heart may well be one that dwells in darkness but the emotional impact resounds long after silence descends.

(8/10 Pete Woods)

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