Longing for Dawn

Within seconds of the opening chords on One Lonely Path, the album’s funereal pace, underscored by songs averaging over ten minutes a piece, makes it clear that this is no speed metal record. Purveyors of "atmospheric doom,” Quebec’s Longing for Dawn weave a melancholy, Bride-ian gloom, and offset the steady grey with disquieting sonic effects. Smooth layers of synth strings underlie much harder-edged guitar riffs and mournful leads, accented by a deep throated growl, but periodically it all drops out, leaving an alien swirl of sound to fill in the empty space. As emotionally heavy as it is musically, One Lonely Path is a slow, sombre trip, but soothing in its desolation.