Cult of Luna have emerged from the long shadows of Isis, Neurosis et al with this wonderfully original record in which they continue their solid goth-inspired post-rock. This time around, though, they include trip-hop elements (The Sweep), spacy keyboards and flanged guitars (Synchronicity), indie rock-inspired ring modulators (In Awe Of) and some adventurous vocals (I: The Weapon and Passing Through). Some of the tracks are perhaps overlong; respites are built into these longer tracks but even that becomes monotonous, as you become too aware of a buildup-bombast-break pattern. Even so, Vertikal is easily their best effort, yet.
Also heard & subsequently rejected:
Barrow - The Depth (EP) Poor, generic black/post metal with weak vocals.
Black Oak Decline – vaguely psychedelic post-metal with some refreshing elements but, oddly, less than the sum of its parts.
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