This is a duo namely of Dan Munro (ex-Funerot) and Reuben Story (Christian Mistress). The PR material suggests blazing unconventional classic metal, which is the case. I’d pick on the unconventional as a key pointer.
‘Wolves in the Shadows’ starts vibrant, almost as haunting as some Mercyful Fate classics, the vocals are an acquired taste. The sound is very much lacking in major levels of sustain which loses some potential character but the track itself is a welcoming start to this album. ‘Sandstone’ is another pleasing track, similar to the likes of Christian Mistress, Relentless and Savage Master.
‘Dust Within’ is more of a stoner groove track from the sounds coming out, ‘Walls of Bone’ has a few doom elements. ‘Wet Net’ has time signatures that don’t seem to gel together. The vocals are very nasal at the start and become more familiar as the track develops to be more palatable. It does work out for me though. ‘Sandstone’ is an interesting tune. I can hear what the band are trying to do, its embarking on one of those epic metal journeys, but falls flat being unable to spread its wings and embrace some ambience. ‘Gossamer Sky’ has an almost new romantic vibe, with the vocals drifting in and out of phase. The gnarly parts of this said vocal remind me of the band “Them” and I can hear the band peppering the listeners emotions of some King Diamond material/Them, but harshly, not much else.
The album is said to transport the listener to a futuristic world that has some issues with a point of bringing hope to mankind, this is where I fell the album goes musically. There is lots of promise and ideas, but for me it doesn’t make it all knit together to flow well enough. On the more positive side, I enjoy the artwork, which is by Seventh Bell Artworks based on photographic experimentation.
(6/10 Paul Maddison)
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