What I have in my possession here is an absolutely striking release from a band (containing one member) that until just recently I'd never come across. There isn't a whole lot of information out there on Apotheosis, and what little knowledge I did obtain only left me with an immediate thirst for more. I was talking a little bit about Farthest From The Sun with Diabolic yesterday and I mentioned that it seems easiest to dive into a metal dissection when you either really love the disc on the operating table, or when you have no choice but to bring out the scalpel of doom and ultimately carve up something you truly despise. What I felt yesterday about going into this piece was that I wasn't sure how to even proceed with it. But after a couple of very enjoyable listens to this album this morning, the 3rd taking place as I write, I think I might actually be able to come up with some thoughts on it.
Farthest From The Sun is a 50 minute, 4 track expedition into the mind of one man going by the name of Sauron. This is an amazing tale that flourishes the darkest traits both chaos and evil have to offer, and at the same time crawls off into a sound of beauty all its own. Farthest From The Sun is for the patient listener, the listener who understands how effective variety in overall sound can be to the ear and soul, the listener who possesses musical knowlege from many different levels. As a musician, I've taken an honest look at this album and I can see it becoming a motivational tool that will force me to employ more thought into the future writing that I do. There is so much going on here that it will undoubtedly take several listens before I can completely comprehend all that is at hand. The keyboard and programming arrangements on this diverse trek into millennium metal mayhem predominate the album for the most part, and with the help of chaotically sonic sections that are amplified by tasteful guitar riffs and quality drum patterns that mix the movement of thrash with the abrasiveness of death and the rhetorical blasting of black, this trip becomes one unified metal monstrosity, and an enjoyable one at that. The vocals are done in the glory of the blackened scream, and as I continue to listen I wouldn't want it any other way. Each song seems to blend in well with the next and makes the whole album seem like one continuous song. Some people don't like the marathon song structures used by many bands, yet it takes the type of listener mentioned above to appreciate the substance in lengthy songs.
Yesterday I wasn't sure about this album, today however it is certain that this album will make many trips into the rotation over the months and years to come. I truly like it that much and I look forward to listening to it over and over to watch as every little section comes together upon each listen. Damn......Sauron's playing a guitar solo right now that is worth getting up to find the remote for a little rewind action. So without hesitation seek this album out and add it to your collection. I don't care how closed-minded you are, this album is worth a spin and it might even open a few doors in the minds of all the poor souls out there that claim to be sooooooooo metal but place restraints on what they can or cannot listen to. What a shame............don't you agree?!?!?!?!?
**Note: I couldn't come across the lyrics so I don't have a rating for them at this time**