ISON : "Stars & Embers"

This band featuring ex-members of Crippled Black Phoenix is releasing a new slab of ethereal wonderment. It also finds Irish singer and former Sister of Mercy backing vocalist Lisa Cuthbert at the microphone. The opening track rides a wave of atmosphere. It is a very ambient form of alt pop, that flirts with the elements of shoe gaze and dream pop without conforming to either. There is less movement to the second song which is more like a less radio friendly version of Sarah Mclachlan. Cuthbert still maintains emotional urgency to her voice, the song it self , feels more like it works off a sound. I am sure if you were on the right drugs it would make more sense. 

"Peregination" works more of synths, this time with a low baritone vocal joining in. You would think that they would be trying to emulate Sisters of Mercy here, and while that might be some of the inspiration they are doing more of their own thing as the dancey elements are not in place. They hit you with dramatic punches when the guitar kicks in that is more like waves crashing from a coming storm. "Radiant Void' has more of an electronic pulse. The chorus drifts off when song begins to kick in. This might focus more on the ambiance and not enough on the beat for fans of dark wave, though in some ways it is moving in that direction mood wise. "ASTR" finds a smooth balance of atmosphere and riding the understated groove . The moodier vocal melody coasts nicely over it. 

"Formations" is the first song where it feels like the mood and ambiance is overpowering the songwriting. The synths drown the more organic elements as the clouds descend to carrying everything into a dream like state. Perhaps that does not sound that bad to you and it is what you want from music. I understand but do you think it is going to be a song that you are going to want to hear in your car this time next year? "Beings of Light" fall in the gray area of that question as it is cinematically dramatic. The grandiose feeling borders on being like Lacuna Coil or Nightwish in it's massive rock undertones.

 The almost 17 minute final track of this album is a great deal of simmering ambiance to pack in a song that would make you want to hear it again. Especially when it feels like the first five minutes could have been dialed back . To write something this sprawling you need to give the listener more meat to sink their teeth into in order to justify investing the time it takes to listen to it. While I appreciate the elements that make me think of the Gathering, it's not until seven minutes in that we get to it.Overall this is a pleasing listen and I will give this album an 8.5.