"The Womb of the World" further defies the dogmas of death and black metal by dragging them deeper still into the depths of textural and timbral delirium, more so than its predecessors even dared fathom, augmented throughout its four chapters by the sinister siren song of The Orchestra of the Silent Stars. The venomous tongues of guest-contributor slithering serendipity herself Jaded fucking Lungs (ADORIOR) maniacally guide "And You Shall Know Perdition As Your Shrine" into the album's eponymous climax, a tumultuous ending in fire certain to be the apotheosis of QRIXKUOR's vision to date. "The Womb of the World" is the echo of time tearing itself apart, a dauntless deliverance of dissolution. Perhaps now the seas can be still at last. The album has four songs, and "So Spoke the Silent Stars" is first. It eases in, with eerie strings and vocal chants in the background that sound like they come from the undead. From there, the tones grow more harrowing and more horrid, with Death Metal gutturals that seem to come alive from time to time. The Symphonic elements bring an elegance to the table, which is unusual. Considering the black nature of the other elements, however, it's almost like preparing a five-course meal for zombies.

"Slithering Serendipity" begins with fanciful piano notes that are soon blotted out by the vast void of Black and Death Metal tones. I don't think I have heard an album that approaches the level of darkness you get from "The Womb of the World." It's sophisticated, in a deadly sort of way. "And you Shall Know Perdition as your Shrine" is another terrorizing song, and the level of fright the band is able to get from their compositions is enough to turn your hair white. Subtle Progressive elements mix into the bloody stew as well, but they aren't enough to overcome the thick black goo. Approaching the halfway mark, the terror turns to torture, and you can feel the souls being twisted. A nearly chaotic passage follows, and the wheels nearly come off the careening bus, but somehow the band is able to maintain control. The title track is the final offering. A 17-minute Death Metal song? Why not? At first, the band saunters around creating a core sound, but instead explore the depths of the nine planes of Hell. There are demons, devils, goblins, unknown twisted faces, and many other deadly things that are uncovered.

Don't mistake their exploration for a lack of structure, however. It's like a complex classical composition that is tainted with disease and death. Approaching the end, bells ring, foretelling your demise, and your senses are heighted with the crashing crescendo. Overall, the album redefines the words "darkness" and "terror." It's more like reliving your worst nightmare or torture experience. They bring the death to life, in colors of black, and of the abyss. For me, it's like standing on the edge of a massive black hole seconds before I am sucked in with a force greater than time itself.