This is actually some really beautifully composed progressive extreme metal (elements of black, death, and doom) that exudes not only negative emotions (grief/sorrow/etc.) but professionalism. You can tell a lot of work went into this release and a lot of people were involved with it. The album flows wonderfully and the songs work as individual chapters of an epic story.

Easily recommendable for fans of bands like Swallow the Sun, Opeth, Before the Dawn, Before the Rain, Doom:VS, In Mourning, etc.

Sounds like my kinda shit. I'll definitely check this out tonight.

I thought it was bland and sterile at best. Songwriting-wise they might be ok but the sound of the music is pretty yawn inducing. I might have had a slightly higher opinion of this it had it not been called album of the year for someone in a staff pick.

Written by [user id=4365] on 08.05.2012 at 18:57
I might have had a slightly higher opinion of this it had it not been called album of the year for someone in a staff pick.

Probably why I liked it as much as I did to be honest. Rarely do I see eye-to-eye with Daniel even though we tend to listen to a lot of the same music so I'm sure on some subconscious level I managed to appreciate this more as a result of expecting something crappy.

Written by Troy Killjoy on 08.05.2012 at 19:33

Probably why I liked it as much as I did to be honest. Rarely do I see eye-to-eye with Daniel even though we tend to listen to a lot of the same music so I'm sure on some subconscious level I managed to appreciate this more as a result of expecting something crappy.

Damn, I should have done that. I did go into this expecting the production job to be slicker than Shaft however.

Written by [user id=4365] on 08.05.2012 at 19:37
Damn, I should have done that. I did go into this expecting the production job to be slicker than Shaft however.

Simple solution would be to go back in time and go about this whole thing differently...

Written by Troy Killjoy on 08.05.2012 at 19:40

Simple solution would be to go back in time and go about this whole thing differently...

My time machine is being serviced at the moment. I took a wrong turn in the 40's and ended up in in the middle of Operation Barbarossa and it took a bit of a hammering.

Written by [user id=4365] on 08.05.2012 at 19:37

Written by Troy Killjoy on 08.05.2012 at 19:33

Probably why I liked it as much as I did to be honest. Rarely do I see eye-to-eye with Daniel even though we tend to listen to a lot of the same music so I'm sure on some subconscious level I managed to appreciate this more as a result of expecting something crappy.

Damn, I should have done that. I did go into this expecting the production job to be slicker than Shaft however.

I can't imagine what you will say when I staff pick something that sounds abrasive and underproduced

Written by Daniell on 08.05.2012 at 20:29


I can't imagine what you will say when I staff pick something that sounds abrasive and underproduced

I'll be hitting that thumb up button pretty quick ;]

I just wish this didn't sound so "perfect". This is like knowing a guy that you don't get on with that well and then you end up in a fight with one day and you both get dirtied and bloodied, but afterwords you end up being friends because of it.

Written by [user id=4365] on 08.05.2012 at 18:57

I thought it was bland and sterile at best. Songwriting-wise they might be ok but the sound of the music is pretty yawn inducing.

checked the album out, and every word you say about it is true.

Written by [user id=4365] on 08.05.2012 at 20:32

I just wish this didn't sound so "perfect". This is like knowing a guy that you don't get on with that well and then you end up in a fight with one day and you both get dirtied and bloodied, but afterwords you end up being friends because of it.

Haha, nice metaphor. I started Winamp and immediately had an idea for a staff pick that you'd immediately like: I'm blasting P.H.O.B.O.S. right now... But I guess I won't pick it now when I revealed it.

You previous comment about too slick a sound made me wonder: this is exactly the opposite of what I think about some albums. They might be ok musically, but they lose a lot of charm due to bad sound. You seem to think the same, but in a completely opposite way. Funny things those tastes

Written by Daniell on 08.05.2012 at 20:40

Haha, nice metaphor. I started Winamp and immediately had an idea for a staff pick that you'd immediately like: I'm blasting P.H.O.B.O.S. right now... But I guess I won't pick it now when I revealed it.

You previous comment about too slick a sound made me wonder: this is exactly the opposite of what I think about some albums. They might be ok musically, but they lose a lot of charm due to bad sound. You seem to think the same, but in a completely opposite way. Funny things those tastes

Sound is far more important than people give credit for. Nobody ever really mentions "sound" in reviews, it doesn't have its own category in reviews (it's not the same as production which is only part of it), maybe because many things make up a sound perhaps. The fact is something can be well made but sound shit, and vice versa, but I think people judge a band first on their sound above anything else. I know I do. I can tell within a few seconds if I'm going to like something because of its sound.

I have that P.H.O.B.O.S. album downloaded. I need to listen to it asap.

Written by Daniell on 08.05.2012 at 20:40
I'm blasting P.H.O.B.O.S. right now... But I guess I won't pick it now when I revealed it.

The promo sent from the dude is on the way. I'll make a good review to match your staff pick hahahaha.

Written by X-Ray Rod on 08.05.2012 at 21:15

Written by Daniell on 08.05.2012 at 20:40
I'm blasting P.H.O.B.O.S. right now... But I guess I won't pick it now when I revealed it.

The promo sent from the dude is on the way. I'll make a good review to match your staff pick hahahaha.

It's a deal!

Holy fuck, Hands of Despair quickly became my favorite band, I thank the one who picked this

Unfortunately, I heard that their album is already out. Do you guys know when I can still get their album?

The rough vocals are a bit one dimensional for me. They have good tone and quality, but I would have liked more variety and dynamics. Then again I love November's Doom, and Paul's rough vocals aren't a shining example of diversity, but my listening history goes much farther back with that band. I guess when someone says "progressive", I expect it in the vocals too. I do dig everything else about the music as far as structure, flow and sound though. Sadly, I don't see myself buying this. I'll keep listening on youtube to see if it sparks more of an interest.

Written by [user id=4365] on 08.05.2012 at 18:57

I thought it was bland and sterile at best. Songwriting-wise they might be ok but the sound of the music is pretty yawn inducing. I might have had a slightly higher opinion of this it had it not been called album of the year for someone in a staff pick.

+1

It was okay, but nothing more.

I thought it was all right, maybe a little more then that I'd give it a 7.5. Being free gave it that extra .5 better I liked it the first time but I've had no urge at all to hear it again, damn. produced well and usually very homogenous to it's sound it is a well done album, just nothing mind bottling for me. It might get lost in the shuffle.

Written by -DC-002- on 10.05.2012 at 08:42

I liked it the first time but I've had no urge at all to hear it again

My thoughts exactly

Written by -DC-002- on 10.05.2012 at 08:42

I liked it the first time but I've had no urge at all to hear it again,

Which the exact oppposite of my reaction. The more I listened, the more I liked the album. The only thing that is not excellent here are the growls, which appear a bit too one-dimensional. Anything else is top notch. I daresay that you can't appreciate the album after 1-2 listens. But then, if you dislike it at the first go, there is no point re-listening I guess.

Written by Daniell on 11.05.2012 at 09:51

Written by -DC-002- on 10.05.2012 at 08:42

I liked it the first time but I've had no urge at all to hear it again,

Which the exact oppposite of my reaction. The more I listened, the more I liked the album. The only thing that is not excellent here are the growls, which appear a bit too one-dimensional. Anything else is top notch. I daresay that you can't appreciate the album after 1-2 listens. But then, if you dislike it at the first go, there is no point re-listening I guess.

More power to you dawg! I didn't not like the album it just didn't really pull me back to listening to it, or at all stick with me afterwards. There was no nagging melody or rhythm, or weirdness from the album that stayed in my head making me come back. Those are the signs of an album that means it is working for me. they definitely put hard work into the album though, I'd judge their effort as a good one.

Written by -DC-002- on 11.05.2012 at 10:11

More power to you dawg! I didn't not like the album it just didn't really pull me back to listening to it, or at all stick with me afterwards. There was no nagging melody or rhythm, or weirdness from the album that stayed in my head making me come back.

Actually, in my opinion, the penultimate track, "Creator" is one of the best songs I've heard in the last years. It's a straight 10, on a par with great songs of Opeth. the Opeth reference is not accidental - the general feel of most of the songs is definitely Opeth-esque. the songs are equally complex, multi-faceted and varied.

Great album... bought it from bandcamp some time ago and I liked it so much I downloaded the FLAC version too...

A good effort, i like many parts of it - but i would appreciate it more if i could have the lyrics too. If anyone could help - ladies and lads ...

Finally got down to listening to this album this weekend and I'm really liking it so far after a few listens.