Search - Sun of the Blind :: Skullreader

An Extension of the Main Project

C. Loescher | Loves Park, IL USA | 07/13/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being a rabid Darkspace fan, once I heard about side-project Sun of the Blind by Darkspace guitarist/vocalist Zhaaral, I immediately ordered a copy of Skullreader. I didn't know quite what to expect; at the time I had absolutely no other knowledge of Sun of the Blind aside from lone member Zhaaral's affiliation, but figured based on his main band's works the amount of risk was low. Upon first listen, I was overjoyed to find that I was correct.



Skullreader embodies the most common trait of a side-project: a sound similar to that of the respective main project. But simply comparing Sun of the Blind's material with Darkspace's does not do justice to the magnificence of Zhaaral's vision, nor to Darkspace's still-unique formula for ambient black metal. What we have here, essentially, is a progressive-tinged Darkspace with a smattering of various influences culled from outside the "normal" black metal boundary. Sun of the Blind masterfully layer fuzzed-out death/black riffs, ever-present mysterious and mournful lead guitar lines (the greatest resemblance to Darkspace), and spacial blanketed keyboard synth, on top of mid-paced black metal drumming and scathing vocal screams. Sun of the Blind's greatest success lies in the fact that, while using the Darkspace template for Skullreader, said foundation is built upon by scant female singing ("Lord of Mind"), short electronic sequences ("Fire and Thirst"), and fantastic forays into female vocal chanting (likely keyboard-induced) adjoining with the main sound (the awesome "Vanitas"). There is even several minutes of dirgy death/doom similar to Swallow the Sun or Ablaze in Hatred in fourth track "Ornaments," a personal favorite.



The most affecting of what Sun of the Blind brings, however, is atmosphere. Zhaaral's main outfit, Darkspace, can pull off an identical mastery of this, along with other obscure acts such as Doom:Vs and Impavida, and on Skullreader Zhaaral's skills couldn't be better portrayed. The multitude of layers of guitar, intertwined with eerie synth and occasional vocals, both stifles and impresses the listener, inciting additional listens to uncover deeper-buried sound and relevance. Song lengths ranging from seven to over ten minutes are sensible, and very pleasing given the impact of what Sun of the Blind are trying to accomplish.



Quite simply, Skullreader is an album reminiscent of vintage Darkspace, plus progressive influences, less such a horrifying din, but frightful and inspiring nonetheless. Skullreader should be secondary to Darkspace fans as treasured material, and should be at the least given a listen by all fans of related ambient black metal who seek a vision into the window that is Darkspace.

"