Dark Buddha Rising — Inversum

 

Having the time to go slow and let the album take on a life of its own, "ESO" starts slowly with the droning synth gradually coming to the fore to serve as a base for the doom to stand on. Drones and feedback swirl in a gauzy haze above deliberate drums and a solid bass groove. The fog lifts to reveal slow, heavy riffs stuffed with horrific, distant vocals. What sounds like a pained ritual lead is backed by a few filling in choral harmony. Sparse and evocative, this ritual is soon punctuated by a dizzying, almost hypnotic riff that brings the listener to the climax. Grim and unavoidable, but enjoyable every step of the way. "EXO" continues with the slow, ritualistic vibe and builds into a sparse doomy groove. The vocals are less pained and more psych on this and match the strung out pace very well, sounding like the ecstasy of the summoning being fully realized. Closing with an energetic pace, the dark celebration completed, and a new dawn is upon us.

 

Slow, sparse, and thoroughly engaging, Inversum takes the dark, ritual theme and runs with it. This album grows with each subsequent spin, and makes no apologies for doing exactly what it wants when it wants. Well thought and well played, this is a lovely slice of doom that would go well watching a storm come in.