Black Lights & Silent Roads
Artist:  My Silent Wake / The Drowning
Label: Bombworks Records
Time: 8 tracks/73:16 min.

This CD could easily be the theme music that plays every time Darth Vader proclaims someone's destruction... which is a very good thing if you are into Doom Metal.  Two UK bands give you eight songs each, starting with My Silent Wake and ending up with The Drowning. My Silent Wake has been around a while, so you probably already know what kind of quality heaviness to expect from them.  Of special note on their side of this split is the epic 23 minute plus song "Rebirth."  It moves and flows through many different soundscapes and textures ­ pretty classic. Both bands cover one song by the other ("reversing styles" they say), which is a very cool twist.  The Drowning also brings some interesting textures into their songs with a Muslim call to prayer and some operatic vocals here and there. In fact, this CD could easily be used to show critics that not all doom music sounds alike.  Personal favorites from each band are "Bleak Endless Winter" by My Silent Wake and "Silent Epiphany" by The Drowning ­ but there are many more good songs on this album.

By Matt Crosslin (July 12, 2010)