These Italians were already on the rise with debut album ‘Ascension’ proving itself to be a confident and mature opening gambit. Three years later they are back with the follow up which is described as being ‘Cosmic Doom.’ With a near hour running time it is certainly a listening experience which will have you spacing out as it is rather indulgent and on the whole an immersive journey to the outer-limits. Like its predecessor it is mixed and mastered by Borknagar’s Øysten G. Brun and he is one of several guests contributing guitar lines along with ex-Lacuna Coil member Diego ‘Didi’ Cavallotti. Another person who was a guest last time is now firmly established in the line-up. Joining Maurizio Caverzan’s, hoary funeral doom etched growls we now get the dulcet tones of Sojourner singer Lucia Amelia Emmanueli providing a real feeling of duality to proceedings. Before either make an appearance though we find ourselves in the flightpath of constellation Cepheus with opening instrumental ‘VdB 141 IC 1805’ providing an atmospheric start.
Thick and slow bass with craggy growls have as emerging at ‘Sunya’ which starts an affair of dualism on the album as Lucia joins in lightening the oppressive parts with a flow drifting into the sublime and soothing. There are some flourishes to deathly territories as well between all this with pumping drum work sections reminding that space is not only vast but a dangerous place as well. With spoken words and classical keyboard work there’s lots to take in here and as we continue you will find yourself in the depths of an ever-expanding universe. It is an album that needs attention and at times it is difficult not to find yourself just cast adrift and floating along somewhat marooned. Lucia’s vocals have a dream-laden effect when they take over as at the start of ‘The Opal Tide.’ I am reminded a bit of The Gathering here but it’s all a case of getting a measure on the planet and engaging with the doom-laden cosmos we find ourselves in. Even with the coarse vocals a song like this is luxuriant and generally relaxing, especially with its culminating lullaby tones. If you were to find yourself in a daze though the rugged tones are never far away to rock you in your crib as the starting heft of ‘Naught, I’ goes on to prove.
With many of the eight songs approaching double digits as far as running time is concerned there is plenty to take in but everything is well-composed with plenty of elements to contend with. Even if a song like ‘Infinite Mirror’ takes on a ballad etched diorama the listener should never get too complacent as the sparkling melody and void-gazing motifs of the title track really go on to show off the universe in all its wonderful colours. Hopefully this taster will give you an indication of what to expect here without needing to complete the voyage and touch on the last couple of epic instalments. Drift into the Blackshift at the following links and discover this space odyssey for yourself.
(8/10 Pete Woods)
Leave a Reply