A STORM OF LIGHT is a side project for members of NEUROSIS, BATTLE OF MICE, BOOK OF KNOTS and other avant-garde underground metal acts, but Forgive Us Our Trespasses is more accessible than the parts of which it is the sum might indicate. Taking a page from the book of latter-day ISIS more than anyone else, ASoL sculpts a series of epics, each track building slowly from minor-key prog melodies and measured dinosaur stomp rhythms. Clear baritone vocals that have more in common with goth rock than metal intone a libretto depicting the decaying relationship between nature and industry. The notorious LYDIA LUNCH appears from time to time to add creepy ambience, but her contributions sound like afterthoughts – the real strength is in the efforts of the principals. Sometimes ponderous, often soaring, A Storm of Light doesn’t add any significant new techniques to the art of post-metallic prog rock, and could stand to pull back on its song lengths. But Forgive Us Our Trespasses still paints a fairly compelling portrait of outsider metal in the 21st century.
http://www.astormoflight.com
http://www.neurotrecordings.com
