Finnish funeral doom veterans Skepticism embark on a cathartic journey through the obscure depths of the sixth album “Companion” which also triumphantly celebrates their 30th anniversary.
The solemn beauty of the atmospheric arrangements on “Calla” emphasizes the elegant darkened aesthetics of the majestic rhythmic ensemble and the gelid tonalities of the guitar work which focuses on monolithic riffs.
On “The Intertwined” the doom laden riffage and the painfully slow tempo inevitably generate an oppressive rhythmic maze amplified by the cavernous growls while the dismal tones of the keyboards enhance a rich dramatic depth.
An alluring melancholia lies within the mellow arpeggios of “The Inevitable” while the colossal guitar riffs march fiercely through the intricate atmospheric waves and confidently channel the ominous force of doom metal.
The immense poetic gloom of “Swan And The Raven” becomes palpable through the pulsating despair of the keyboards that effortlessly evolves in a series of mournful rhythmic crescendos and refined harrowing guitar melodies.
With an insane wall of sound and a dense tenebrous atmosphere “Companion” perfectly symbolizes the funereal sonic vision meticulously developed by Skepticism during the last three decades.