01. Fen Of Shadows 02. Where Paradise Fades 03. Temple Of The Sun 04. Devouring Radiant Light 05. The Luminous Sky 06. The Vault 07. Carnarium Eternal 08. Sacred Soil
Additional info Produced by Kurt Ballou, mixed by Fredrik Nordström and mastered by Brad Boatright
First song released was awesome, if a bit of a departure from their thrashy roots. Artwork is also a departure. Regardless, I have no issue believing this will be excellent.
I read an interview with the new vocalist (also of Wolvhammer), his favorite band's are The Cure and Leviathan, and his vocal style and approach is bringing something new for this band, should make for something great.
They definitely took a different approach on this one. However, it still has those riffs that I look for when I listen to this band. It's incredibly unique, genre pushing, well-written, and consistent. AoTY contender in my book.
Only other Skeletonwitch album I've heard (as far as I remember) is Beyond the Permafrost, and I find this one not all too similar. Pretty damn enjoyable stuff, however, so I guess I may needa delve into some of the other albums as well.
The occasional tasty thrash riff almost stood its ground in the average dime-a-dozen meloblack sound of the rest of the album. But alas, the bland production, harmless melodies, and undistinguished vocals were too overwhelming to save this album.
Some of the longer songs drag on a bit but other then that there is plenty of catchy meaty riffs to be found and i never really cared for the the vocals since skeletonwitchs instruments are what i like