Review by David on February 13, 2005.

This album has been eagerly anticipated in some quarters. These particular quarters, however, (a 10’ x 12’ bedroom with many neat little mod-cons) have not been as forthcoming with a joyous reception. Malefic, one of the sun-tanned poster boys of the grim USBM revolution has served up a redundant and tedious effort with Telepathic with the Deceased. It’s distinctly below average in so many ways that I literally was pushed to despair, something Malefic would no doubt approve of.

For starters, bad production is not equivalent to atmosphere, and in that respect this album is a cop-out. The bass sounds like a kid’s Casio keyboard (maybe it is), the guitars sound like my ear has been perforated (it makes sense) and I doubt anyone will ever know how many layers of cotton wool the guy ensconced himself within before he did the vocals. He should spit out the Sunny D he is drinking, as well.

Telepathic with the Deceased does one thing well – mediocre black metal. Yet, creating an average sense of mediocrity is hardly an achievement in itself. For example, there’s the typical plodding rhythms and the mind-numbingly long passages of static fuzz with little variation in melody; both elements that add to the tedium of the album. However, the biggest crime is that it’s 57 minutes long. “May Your Void Become as Deep as My Hate,” is indeed the mission statement for this album: suffer Malefic’s hate for 57 damn minutes.

Even if one is attempting to credit the album with having a decent title track, the plan falls backwards, down the stairs and onto a bed of nails. One must wait three minutes into the 10 minute bore-a-thon before things finally come together. A bit of pace, a neat static melody and even some atmosphere, that’s what this album should be! But then minutes later, it’s back to the same dreary, trudging crap.

Sometimes when a strong reputation precedes an album, it makes one question the nature of the beast with a cynical disposition. However, this is one of those cases where cynicism isn’t necessary; the answers are served up on a silver platter complete with a glass of Sunny D.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 5
Atmosphere: 3
Production: 3
Originality: 3
Overall: 5

Rating: 3.8 out of 10

Review by Anna on February 24, 2010.

Aside from my generally low expectations from bands I haven't heard of and approved, I wasn't expecting any level of musical brilliance upon initial judgment of this album's cover or project logo. Although, as if a narcotic had self-activated in my system, I was soon hit with the realization that I'd very possibly been sent a semi-precious gem of an album. "Skullreader" is the debut output from Sun Of The Blind, solo project of Zhaaral of a band called Darkspace.

The sound can be described as bleak and thoroughly atmospheric, otherworldly, often hypnotic, and unlike many of its free-form counterparts, energizing. A coma-inducing wall of sound created by the warm fuzz of guitars, synths, and screams come together, without competition, creating a creamy, responsive consistency that surrounds you like a cloud of cosmic dust, drawing you within its trance-like vibration. Sonic guitars wail secrets of another realm, transcending space and initiating a heightened form of communication directly with its listener, unraveling a message that is direct, esoteric, and enlightening. The guitar work on this album I feel is ingenious, not least in its technicality but its voice, and seems not to be inspired by any world tradition, but from the journeys of a traveled soul. Downsides to this work would be the over-structuring of the first track, which goes against the decided agenda of the collective as a whole. The piecing together of this particular track could have been done more smoothly, in any case.

Another move I feel was a needless mistake was the appearance of the "ethereal" female voice. Even this massive wall of fuzz could not have masked the poor vocalizations and inability of the subject to sustain the proper note. Although- and you will rarely hear me say this, any disagreements become minor and soon forgiven if not forgotten as the rest of the album is ushered in, flushing out the questionable and creating a transcendent bliss within my conscious.

I highly recommend this to the small underground of complex souls who seek deeper meaning within the beauty of atmosphere. Immerse thyself.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 6.8
Originality: 9.5
Overall: 9

Rating: 7.5 out of 10