The Breathing Process
Album: Odyssey: (Un)Dead
Release Date: March 23, 2010
Label: Candlelight

Track Listing
01. Hours
02. Grimoire
03. Leveller
04. Vulture(s)
05. Pantheon Unravelling
06. Odyssey: (Un)Dead
07. Starless : Eternal
08. Metamorphosis
09. Hordes
10. The Living Forest (Part 1)
11. Wind Ritual
12. The Opaque Forest (Part 2)
13. Decaying Form

Reviewer: Eric

Let’s get out all of the dirty words before I start writing an actual review on this album. Where in the fuck did The Breathing Process come from? Holy shit these guys kick so much ass. Why didn’t get bring out this album two years ago when I thought symphonic black metal was pretty much a pointless genre? Christ, this album fucking rocks!

Ok that is out of my system and now I can tell you why I think this album is that good. The overall album is just one intense song after another, giving the listener a unique sound that almost feels like you are reading this dark story that could change your whole life. The progression with each track feels like I was frozen for such a long time. I haven’t heard too many symphonic black metal bands out there that took their music and made it into something that will want to make you sit down with a hot cup of coffee and reflect on what is going on through each and every track.

The album always has a different surprise around the corner. From the eerie sounds of the keyboards to the lovely sounds of female harmonies. At times all of this does come to a massive head on collision, mainly at the half way point. I don’t want to say the middle portion of the album is bad but adding in too many elements at once, especially for an album that was on such a high ride, it puts a tear in my eye.

Though when you have tracks like The Living Forest (Part 1) and The Opaque Forest (Part 2) there is no reason to put in another black metal album. These tracks remind me of Fairytale Abuse back in their early days, when they were offering a good handful of tracks online for free. Gosh the early days of symphonic black metal, it brings back memories when I actually liked more than one or two artists.

Final Verdict
For a symphonic black metal band I never heard of before I have to give them credit. This is a pretty good album that doesn’t seem to get stale after a few listens. Anytime I am in the mood for this one I start from the beginning, which is a great accomplishment now-a-days trust me. As good as it may be it isn’t quite a perfect release, but I think it is a note worthy release for 2010.

Rating
9.50 out of 10

Breathing Process Official Web Site
Breathing Process on Myspace