Review Summary: A cold gloom.
Often when within the confides of winter even our imaginations can become lost. Winter paints this picture in the vast cascades of frozen sludge. A mournful emptiness weeps against the ground as the filth enshrouds the shrieks. The expansive gloom is riddled with snares and snaps; general excellence when regarding the instrumental execution. Groove in the rhythm section having ample time to find menacing fluidity. Much time is given to creating a nice flow while spotted lack of vocals allows for nice buildups. However when the vocals are brought into focus the are more than fitting and nothing short of superb.
With nearly every track spanning over five minutes ample time is given for the slow pace to make the desired effect. Overall the climaxes are well paced and direct, rarely dragging and never falling short of enjoyable. On the downside a bit more experimentation and tempo change might be desired, if only slightly. Every sound drenched in the heavy stench, raw, with writhing decay.
"Into Darkness" isn't trying to hide what it's drawing you into, the scathing sorrow never failing to be apparent. Thickly frozen in its own self induced loathing most will know within the first twenty seconds if their ears will continue the perilous journey. The vibe leaving you crushed, exhausting without a hint of loosening its grip. The theme of the album being the growth of a putrid moss, the mood fabricating a dismal piece of art.
This album is not for the impatient. Into Darkness is engaging even as it crawls at a deathly pace, rewarding only to the attentive. Whines of the instruments twist and wind in a demented torment, no song lacking value. While there can be times the record reveals a rather narrowed approach I find nothing that is horridly out of place. A masterful blend of death and doom, looming in a mist of decay. To those who find meaning in suffering, step cautiously
Into Darkness.
