Haven't listened to the whole album yet so I'm not rating it yet, but it's sounds pretty awesome, only problem is the songs tend to be longer than they need to, and a bit same sounding. Got some great textures and melodies, and the violin adds a lot, but I think the song writing could use a bit more work.

Written by Ganondox on 18.08.2014 at 01:21

Haven't listened to the whole album yet so I'm not rating it yet, but it's sounds pretty awesome, only problem is the songs tend to be longer than they need to, and a bit same sounding. Got some great textures and melodies, and the violin adds a lot, but I think the song writing could use a bit more work.

The only song I've always had a bit of a problem is Tapestry, no big complaints otherwise. It's sort of in their blood to write long songs so that's not going away on their sophomore effort (I think they said one song is 15+ minutes on there). There's so much going on in the songs it's not much of an issue anyway.

Written by Risto on 18.08.2014 at 17:34

Written by Ganondox on 18.08.2014 at 01:21

Haven't listened to the whole album yet so I'm not rating it yet, but it's sounds pretty awesome, only problem is the songs tend to be longer than they need to, and a bit same sounding. Got some great textures and melodies, and the violin adds a lot, but I think the song writing could use a bit more work.

The only song I've always had a bit of a problem is Tapestry, no big complaints otherwise. It's sort of in their blood to write long songs so that's not going away on their sophomore effort (I think they said one song is 15+ minutes on there). There's so much going on in the songs it's not much of an issue anyway.

I have no problem with long songs with lots going in them, it's only a problem well it fails to keep my engaged throughout the whole song. I like Ne Oblivscarious, but I can only pay attention to about half of each song, which I think is a sign their songs are longer than they ought to be.

This is a long song I like, it's complex, but every part has a clear purpose to the whole.

Fu*king awsome! full of surprises. in my top 10 of alltime...

Progressive black metal titans. Love this record. \m/

I've only heard "And Plague Flowers The Kaleidoscope" and that was mesmerizing, great great song.

edit : Now that I've heard the whole thing, that song is the best one, by far.

I really want to like this album more than I do - beautiful artwork, long progressive heavy songs, talented musicians, great production, poetic lyrics. Something just doesn't click for me and I don't feel that it deserves more than 8/10, which is a shame as I am a big fan of this type of music in theory.

This is the perfect balance of Complexity and Songwriting

The best explanation for what I feel about this album is their Artwork. Brutal and Romantic at the same time. I enjoy this album in a way that never occurred to me before. 10 years after the release and still perfect. I just don't know why I don't give it a 10 LOL.

Written by nonZero on 18.02.2022 at 13:19

I really want to like this album more than I do - beautiful artwork, long progressive heavy songs, talented musicians, great production, poetic lyrics. Something just doesn't click for me and I don't feel that it deserves more than 8/10, which is a shame as I am a big fan of this type of music in theory.

I more or less agree, though the opener of this album is excellent.

I have been a big fan of theirs for quite a long time, yet my favorite track in their whole discography still remains to be off of this album: As Icicles Fall. An epin, apocalytic ride with haunting violin passages interwined with a cool guitar solo. The ending has such a powerful climax!

I can't fault the musicianship skills at all, it's the pinnacle of what can be done in regards to extreme progressive metal, similar to what Opeth achieved with Still Life and Blackwater Park I suppose?

That being said, with it's complex structure and compositions, it's an album that requires your full attention, with zero interruption, to get the full grasp of the albums true quality. I find some tracks do go on that wee bit too long, and so I often find myself loosing focus by the end.

"Xenoflux" has always been the track that clicked with me most.

Great album and great debut by these guys. So glad that the album topped the year end and finds a place in the top 200 of all time as of now.

The clean vocal phrase at 2:00 in "Of The Leper Butt flies" lingers on the flat 5 just a little too long, it's quite jarring. The guitar solo also feels odd especially on the diminished arpeggios. Otherwise it's one of the better songs here. This formula is one they would perfect on "Citadel" and, to a slightly lesser extent, "Urn".

Edit: autocorrect typo on "butterflies". I might just leave it though...

Written by 24emd on 07.01.2024 at 03:51

"Of The Leper Butt flies"

Edit: autocorrect typo on "butterflies". I might just leave it though...

Strange rules for autocorrection you have there.