LIFE ... AND ALL IT ENTAILS

After being very impressed with their previous album "Evollution:Creatio Ex Nihilio" from 2009 which I gave 4.5 stars to, I tracked down this their latest recording from 2012 called "Life...And All It Entails". The previous record was very much a Post-Metal album in my opinion with lots of dark atmosphere and some nice heaviness throughout. This one still captures that mood for the most part although I find the closing two tracks a little too lightweight for my tastes as they are getting close to being ballad-like. Up until then though this was a 5 star album. The lyrics are so meaningful reminding me of my own thoughts at times. Once again we get THE LOST ORCHESTRA adding a lot of depth and atmosphere to the proceedings.

"This Aching Isolation" opens with a strange atmosphere as vocals and music kick in just before a minute. He reminds me of the singer of BIG BIG TRAIN when he sings with passion just before 2 minutes. Nice orchestral sounds as well. This is so moving(gulp). "HZ" has this cool atmospheric rhythm that continues for almost 2 minutes. It reminds me of FATES WARNING and their "Disconnect" album. Vocals arrive and there's plenty of emotion and depth. A calm after 2 1/2 minutes as dual guitar lines just off-set join in. "They watch as I squeeze...till there's...nothing left, nothing left...nothing left...it used to feel so alive...when the light comes...falter...as I reach out to your form...cower and stumble...as I kneel before you..." My God what lyrics. "Non Sum Qualis Eram" opens with slowly played piano as the atmosphere builds. Spoken sampled male words arrive sounding desperate and other voices can also be heard. An eerie track. "Distances" is fairly uptempo with vocals. A good song. "Inversions" has these Hogarth-like vocals and it's certainly a more subdued tune than the previous one. It does pick up 1 1/2 minutes in when the vocals stop. Orchestral sounds 2 minutes in then it picks up even more as the vocals return. So good, love the lyrics. "Creatio Ex Nihilio" is part of the title of the previous record and it features sampled female words along with other female sampled words reminding me of PORCUPINE TREE. Faint male words can be heard in static. Cool stuff.

"In Times Of Silence" has lots of atmosphere as reserved vocals join in along with strings and more. A song about remorse. It kicks in as he cries "How do you change the world when it doesn't want to change". I can't help but think of the slaughter of all those children on Pakistan that just happened as he sings that. The Defence Minister of Pakistan was quoted as saying "The smaller the casket, the heavier it is to carry". I hear you brother. Growly vocals just before 3 minutes are brief, whispering words late. "For Your Glory, Great Deceiver" has this mechanical atmosphere as low end guitar kicks in followed by growly vocals. They remind me of AGOLLOCH with those sinister growls. Normal vocals and a more upbeat sound arrive before 3 minutes. "Nisi Credideritis, Non Intelligetes" has picked guitars as vocals, bass and drums join in. It kicks in after a minute. Man these lyrics burn a hole in my heart. Extreme vocals after 3 1/2 minutes cry out then proceed to spit out the lyrics. What a climax to this track. "The Mothers Of The Machine" opens with beautiful guitar notes that echo as sampled female spoken words join in. This is the most PORCUPINE TREE track by far especially when we hear clips of George Bush speaking later on with that beat. I'm not big on the last two tracks but "Singularities" is pretty good early on and later as well. Later i'm reminded of ANATHEMA with the depth of sound while early on it's the strummed guitar and heaviness that follows that appeals to me. In between it's the higher pitched vocals and lyrics that get close to being ballad-like. Speaking of which that's how i'd describe the final song "Loves" not surprisingly given it's title. Just not a fan. The bonus track is "The Fire Around The Lotus" from the previous album but it's remastered here and it sounds great.

Another fantastic release from these Brits. I'll be watching for hopefully a new release in the future.