I'm not sure if many people are aware of this band, but I feel this is a review that needs to be here. Skepticism have created an epic album which manages to be minimalistic yet progressive, depressive yet majestic, dark and foreboding yet with an occasional glimpse of light, mindbendingly slow but most of all enthralling for its entire 1+ hour length. The first thing worth noting is the production - bass is prominent, a funeral organ is present almost always in the foreground, and the guitars seem to mesh with the vocals which are kept to a soft grumble - you can't actually hear what he's saying but one reviewer compared its sound with the rumbling sound of earth moving beneath your feet. The 6 songs are lengthy journeys into darkness, each seemingly having a theme, yet all linked in some way. A deep bass drum is used to great effect, its pounding contrasting wonderfully with the crashing cymbals. All songs are memorable in their own way, but Shred of Light and the untitled track stand out the most. The latter transcends music as it is known - drums are used to a walking pace, with breathing sounds - I found my own heart pounding as the song progressed, just letting my mind wander. Just don't listen to this driving!
9/10
9/10
