MORT

Perhaps the purpose of this album is to frighten rather than entertain. At the risk of sounding trite, I'll just comment that the dissonance, disconcerting atmosphere, and subtle growling would make this a great soundtrack for a gory horror flick. Even if the album succeeds in this regard, it really is almost fifty minutes of the same thing, and despite the track divisions, really functions as one continual piece.

"Chapter I" Murky tones and disquieting echoes make for an unsettling listening experience.

"Chapter II" The second track continues with the gloomy sounds and sludgy sound, maintaining a moderate tempo throughout.

"Chapter III" Once again, a sinister ambience bridges the tracks. This time, the drumming is more rapid, if still subdued in terms of volume, the guitars are an oozing wall of sound, and the lead guitar seems to be playing out of tune.

"Chapter IV" This track is, of course, more of the same, but relies more heavily on snarling yet whispering vocals.

"Chapter V" If modern-day King Crimson played doom metal, it would sound like this, as there is some rather intriguing Robert Fripp-like lead involved. Faintly, some semblance of clean vocals emerge.

"Chapter VI" Distant percussion and droning guitar produce a hypnotic yet simultaneously annoying piece. It evolves (devolves?) into a messy yet steady onslaught of noise and petrifying sounds.

"Chapter VII" An atonal guitar lead runs over blasts of sound, and provides a foundation for some ugly growling. However, it does become something slightly more interesting as it progresses, even though the overall mood doesn't change very much.

"Chapter VIII" The final and longest track opens with more science fiction-like vocals, and predictably, bursts into strident guitars and outlying drums. Unbelievably, it is more horrific than anything that came before.