Published: September 15, 2016

 It’s good to age. If the angst-ridden, stubborn teenager in me were to review an album like this, originality would be a decisive factor. Obvious musical influences would be a negative thing in my narrow-minded evaluation. The word “copy-cat” would be used once or twice as well, further strengthening my resolve on the “fact”. Ageing gives way to perspective, originality isn’t an aspect nor an argument in the digital renaissance, since you basically can compare bands 24/7. It’s good to be part of the march of progress.

The music sculptors in Immensity are likely to have great admiration for the Peaceville three (Paradise Lost, Anathema and My Dying Bride) as well as more contemporary mainstays within doom metal such as Draconian and Daylight Dies. That’s certainly not a bad thing. This band is following its own path from a classic template, creating epic styled compositions with a wide range of atmospheres.

The seven tracks (two of which are re-mixed and re-mastered from the band’s demo) have that journeyed feel where different emotions are being portrayed. Midway through “Irradiance (For The Unlight)”, the listener is deep seated in passionate, lovelorn moods similar to Candlemass or The Foreshadowing, skillfully arranged through and through. The trademark dreary sound of the Greek sextet reaches its peak on the title track with crushing results; Apollo and Dionysus would surely find solace in these compositions.

The album rarely breaks out from its midtempo, gothic splendor. Eleven-minute epos “The Sullen” has a bit of death metal riffage here and there but that’s perhaps one of very few occasions. Props go to singer and growler Leonidas for his performance on the album. There’s a lot lyrical content in the tracks, nicely mixed between guttural growls and soaring laments, positively surprised.

I’m all for music that sounds fresh and different. Original or not, in this case, the album connected with me and that sentiment has a crucial value! Entirely produced in the band’s homeland, “The Isolation Splendour” sounds every bit “hellas” as “Triarchy Of The Lost Lovers”, “Orama” or “The Ophidian Wheel”, only in a more updated form. It has that ancient, alluring romantic scent around it. Well played!