Review by JD on June 29, 2013.

There are few bands that can perfectly capture the frayed and darkened edges of human fears and melancholy that lurk in the shadows there… or the deep down despair that comes with it. I have discovered a band that does just that so deeply into the despondency that all of the anti-depressants you can buy cannot dent the pit of misery this band seems to throw you into.

From the more Death Metal oriented Finland enters a Dark/Doom Metal troupe of musicians that are making musical waves in the world scene. With slow yet granite heavy riffs, haunting melodies that are as bleak and void of hope and darkened lyrics that says it all - 0xist is a powerful band that has intelligence and power that combines with musicianship that shoulders to the top.

Songs like the bleak 'Nil' and the hopelessness of 'Shrivel' seem to set the tone throughout the album. 0xist seems to know how to take you into that forbidden blackened place and leave you there in a useless heap while the haunting voice of the singer reminds you of the despair that surrounds you within the music. This is clearly Doom Metal played at its finest.

I cannot get over how good this album was and I can’t stop listening to it over and over either. Only Candlemass and Novembers Doom have made Doom Metal albums that are better than this and the good thing is that 0xist will get better and better. I cannot wait to hear more from these Fins and I hope that it lands on my desk again.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 9.5
Originality: 10
Overall: 10

Rating: 9.9 out of 10