Review by Mario on March 27, 2008.

…abstract air, flickering shades and sonic fog….

Unholy is long forgotten…long live Dolorian!
Melancholic doom extravaganza? Nature Worshippers? Mirrors’ images deflectors? Peat metal? However you want to call this Finnish duo and their creations they’re one of a kind.
Dolorian go their own solitary way, without looking back at others, beyond the scope of ordinary metal-ism. Since their 2004 split EP release with mighty Shining “The Thousand Lakes” dwellers left me with wonderment, ecstasies but also uncertainty if hearing something equally superior will be possible in the future to come.

The band’s sound can only be categorized as unique; one may find elements of atmospheric, hallucinating, strange, hypnotic doom, black metal or even dark ambient in it. Similarities to Italian Monumentum and Norwegian Solefald could be made here as well. With very oniric lyrics the listener is left beside sonic picture canvas of which should be contemplated on numerous proceedings. I speculate the ideas were solely received within the confines of clandestine Scandinavian nature.

At times sounds caress you, lull you into oblivion [“The flow of seething visions”], touch you with mesmerizing clean guitar riffs and the vocalist whisperings. Counterbalancing this quiet-essence are moment of extremisms [“Epoch of Cyclosure”], bursts of growlings [“Ivory Artery”], and powerful escalations coiling towards orgasmic release [“Raja Naga – Rising”]. This changing flow suits perfectly the band’s cause of evoking, in my opinion, a grandiose blissful atmosphere.

The production is superb. Each instrument recorded sounds very clear, giving you an impression of very sublime space you would like to be, fir the time of the album’s length, at least.

I’m amazed!

Categorical Rating Breakdown:

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Originality: 9
Production: 9
Overall: 9

Rating: 9 out of 10