THE FIRE IN OUR THROATS WILL BECKON THE THAW

The album opens with "Last Day Of Winter" my favourite song on this record that left me with my jaw hanging open. While I was impressed early in the song with the awesome and fantastic sound, I wasn't prepared for what I was about to hear. Early in the tune the drums and guitar create an ear pleasing melody, then things quiet down with percussion being the focus with outbreaks of guitar here and there. Then this guitar melody starts to slowly rise, like a beast out of hell, and at 5 1/2 minutes the beast has arrived in all his fury. The drummer is pummelling his drum kit as the sound gets louder and louder.Things slowly calm down, leaving drums as the only sound until the heaviness comes back one last time, only to die as the song ends with acoustic guitar. "Autumn Into Summer" features some odd timed drumming that is joined by a guitar melody 3 minutes in that builds and builds until all hell breaks loose. This is such a good head banging riff.

"March To The Sea" opens with some good riffs that get heavier, and some amazing drumming. The guitar melody that comes in after 3 minutes is fighting to be heard over the sonic soundscape. Things get quieter and louder before this one is over. "Untitled" opens with acoustic guitar and the strumming becomes more aggressive until 2 1/2 minutes in when it becomes pastoral again to the end of the song. "Red Ran Amber" is a heavy, melodic song with some scorching guitar until after 5 minutes when it calms down and I can breathe again. "Aurora Borealis" has a good mid-paced melody that slowly seems to speed up. "Sirius" is heavy duty 2 minutes in with a cool guitar melody.The drums are again a highlight, and the sound is just so good with the riffing and guitar melody over top of it all.

If you like Metal and Post-Rock like I do, this is a must have. And i'll always look forward to the last day of winter. 4.5 stars.