Band : A Storm Of Light
Album Title : As The Valley Of Death Becomes Us, Our Silver Memories Fade
Label : Burning World Records
Distributor : Rough Trade Benelux.
Release Date : 17/05/2011
Review : CD

It's just too easy to dismiss A Storm Of Light, which is a conglomeration of various Neurotoriented talents, in particular, Josh Graham (Battle Of Mice, Blood And Time, Red Sparowes, Neurosis): guitar, vocals, synthesizers, banjo, piano, BJ Graves (US Christmas, Generation of Vipers): drums and Joel Hamilton (Battle Of Mice, Book Of Knots) : guitar, modular synth, Wurlitzer, as just another post metal band inspired by the sonic tapestries of Neurosis. The opener “Missing” already shows a certain dark atmosphere, which is creeping up more and more often on the album.   “Collapse”, “Silver” and “Black wolves” are groovy and slightly doomy tracks which are sonically close to Yob and Isis. .“Destroyer” and “Death’s head” flow and move gracefully from mood to mood, from crushing power to whispering atmosphere. With unmistakable postrock influences permeating throughout “Wasteland” manage to create eternal shamanic soundscapes within a  ten minute time frame which pushes the listener and will appeal to the Swans meets Minsk meets Tool fan. As such, A Storm Of Light are not simply another Neurosis clone following a well defined path. There is a very solid sense of uniqueness, even traditional rock/metal (Metallica/Soundgarden) find its unorthodox way,  to this CD, making it a wonderful addition to your collection. The band uses also some guest musicians as Jarboe (ex-Swans), Nerissa Campbell, Kris Force (Amber Asylum), Matthias Bossi (Sleepytime Gorilla Museum/The Book Of Knots), Carla Kihlstedt (Sleepytime Gorilla Museum/The Book Of Knots) and Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil.

As The Valley Of Death Becomes Us, Our Silver Memories Fade (you gotta love the title) does not disappoint on any level. Like the previous discs this is very diverse, difficult to typify. It is musically rich and involved. It is lyrically deep and emotionally intense.  As with their other two full lengths, the attention to detail makes the music sweeping on a grand scale. This album is just as captivating and inventive as it's title is long

 A Storm Of Lightdisplays on As The Valley Of Death Becomes Us, Our Silver Memories Fade that they deserve to be viewed in the same light (of storm) as some of the more notorious bands out there.

92/100

Cosmicmasseur.