Review Summary: A grandiose album dedicated to desperation, depression, and melancholy.
I first heard Skepticism four years ago. I was living in Canada at the time and on one of my many late night stays on the computer, I stumbled upon "Aether" by them. I was instantly entranced by the atmosphere created by the members of the band. It was unlike anything I've heard before; and in many ways this has become the album with which I judge all funeral doom. Their grandiose music has been the soundtrack to many moments of my life.
The album is a morose collection of ethereal music played at a snail's pace. Long songs; low, whispered vocals; huge keyboards and minimmalistic guitars - hallmarks of the subgenre - are all present here. They are executed with utmost taste and come together to create a unique experience. The quality of the music is quite impressive, however, this is not due to any one member of the band, it is a product of the chemistry between them. Lastly, the band changes the standard approach to metal in a few ways. For example, the guitars are removed from the foreground, instead allowing to take centre stage. The drums are played with soft mallets, giving them the distinct sound heard on the album. The traditional guitar solo is also absent here, instead we find the guitar playing sparse melodies throughout the album.
The six songs on the album are all quite good. However, the highlights (at least in my opinion) are "The Organium," "The March and the Stream;" and my personal favorite: "Aether." "The Organium" opens the album the album with an ominous organ piece, after which the band soon comes in. The track is one of the faster paced numbers on the album. "The March and the Stream" begins with a low synth line steady drum beat, which centers around the low toms and the high hat. After some the time in this trance, the guitarist and vocalist enter and the song begins to take form. At the six minute mark the song changes pace, and it becomes a sort of dirge. It fades out and only the keyboard melodies remain. There is an ethereal quality to the album, with the production aiding the music to create the sensation of floating through the air.
This album is not something I would recommend to everyone, as the morose songs and slow tempos would put a lot of listeners off. However, to those that are left... Be prepared for a grandiose listen. I do not have any particular gripes, and any thing negative would be nitpicking. However, the reason it does get 5/5 is because I have to be in a certain mood to listen to it. When that mood strikes though, the album is perfect.
