J-Man All the way back in 1999, Ebony Lake released an album that would go on to be a cult classic of sorts in the avant-metal community; entitled On the Eve of the Grimly Inventive, the twisted and grim style of experimental metal shown here by Ebony Lake was revolutionary given the time period. Unfortunately, the act disbanded shortly after the release of their debut, and it wasn't until 2011 that we got to hear more material from the English collective. It is excellent that Ebony Lake decided to get back in the studio and create some more music, though, because In Swathes of Brooding Light is a damn good album if you're into this style of music. Dark, experimental, and downright creepy at times, In Swathes of Brooding Light is not an album for everybody, but those with an open mind should find a lot to enjoy here.

Those familiar with Ebony Lake's classic debut should expect something similar from In Swathes of Brooding Light; if you're less acquainted with the band, their style resides somewhere between black metal and death metal with lots of gothic and avant-garde overtones. The act's English heritage shines through brightly as influences from early Cradle of Filth and My Dying Bride are plentiful throughout this observation, but the band generally sounds like the evil and demented cousin of Unexpect. Ebony Lake's eclectic and grim approach to avant-garde metal could make In Swathes of Brooding Light's 65 minute playing time too demanding, and although the album will take a few listens to completely sink in, the compositions are clearly the product of talented musicians. In Swathes of Brooding Light is one of those few albums that manages to be both incredibly dense and complex while still retaining a solid level of memorability - that's the mark of some excellent composers in my opinion, and the expertly crafted arrangements and fittingly bleak production are like icing on the cake.

In Swathes of Brooding Light is admittedly not an album for every occasion - I can only put this on when I'm in the right mood - but it scratches my itch for twisted and dark avant-garde music every time such a craving arises. Ebony Lake has returned from an extended slumber with an observation that should satisfy all of their existing fans, and hopefully get them some new ones as well. Any devout listener of avant-metal owes it to themselves to hear this haunting and nightmarish album - you won't regret it!

Tlön The year was 1999 and I walked fully immersed in this abyss called extreme metal and the new generations of Black Metal were conquering the extreme music scene. Among many good and new outbreaks, treasures like this go unnoticed. If I had to make a top of the 10 best extreme metal albums of all time this one would certainly be among them. A British band called Ebonylake who only released a demo and this LP "On the Eve Of The Grimly Inventive, which for me is a true work of art.This is not recommended for those who need to take ansiolitics, to hear this is like attending to an totally out of control Ouija session or as if Edgar Allan Poe was in full delirium tremens. Highly recommended for those who have not heard it yet. Even today the original album is hard to find because the record label is now extinct. It was Cacophonous Records those who launched the early works of Craddle of Filth, when they still were doing good music. Technical Black Death Metal with influences from contemporary music and a really great gothic atmosphere. These were already avantgarde metal when not even the term was applied to these genres. Luckily it seems that twelve years after, they are planning to return with a new music project. I hope that the album will be reissued in the future, and that their new recordings will be at the same level that in the past.