Following up on the competently executed yet mediocre Riddles Of The Sycophants, this debut record managed to grab more of my attention. Despite seeming a touch raw, its Melodic Death Metal leanings and keyboard driven symphonic elements play to its strengths. The latter coming as complimentary flare to primarily Metal songs that navigate the usual array of tropes with an overcast, stormy demeanor.
This metallic temperament allows for strings and orchestration, often muzzled by the guitars, to suggest a mystical swashbuckling theme. Songs feel frantic, at the mercy of howling winds, ocean waves and unending winds. Strip its symphony out and this could be an atypical Metal record for many stints. 2.6.2.4 frequently drops in with big riffs, stomping grooves, galloping chugs to steal the show from its watery theme.
Between it all, heathen clean vocals erupt with surges of epic intent that don't land with the gusto bands like Dimmu Borgir do. In the mid ground were aggression is subdued, a handful of symphonic melodies sway, mostly second fiddle to a rhythmic march, never a key focus. Its as if keys were written second to everything else.
As such, the songs rarely play with consistency but have moments that leap out. Halls Of Lemuria, The Curse Of Man, Poseidon's bow all leap out with roaring riffs not exactly inline with the usual template. In their infancy, this band had writing strengths that didn't fit their intended direction it seems. A curious listen, entertaining, energetic and fun, bustling with an energy lost in a better produced follow up.
Rating: 6/10
