WITH THE END IN MIND is an ever-changing musical entity based in Olympia, Washington. Seeking to unite disparate musical influences, and to give voice to internal struggles with spirituality, modern civilization, and inevitable societal collapse, a self-titled EP was conceptualized and recorded throughout 2012. Though initially a solitary, introverted endeavor, musical allies were recruited in 2013 to aid in the production of a second EP, "Thresholder." The band now returns with their debut full length, "Unraveling; Arising," which contains five tracks.

"Sings the Sky" is a behemoth opening track, at nearly fifteen minutes in length. There is a long, atmospheric intro, leading to a melancholy sound with the steady beat of drums, and doleful guitar chords. Clean vocal harmonies soon ring out above. It definitely has a Post-Black feeling at first, but when those guitars come in hard and the harsh vocals enter, it's more of a depressive Black Metal sound, but rich with layers and textures. However, it returns to the opening sound as despair fades but the coldness of reality hits back. Running to a crescendo towards the end, it then vanishes as it entered. "Anguish Symmetry" is close to fourteen minutes. It enters with anger and rage, as guitars feedback with screeches, and a full sound boils your blood and crushes your bones from the inside. A few minutes in the madness is replaced by a thoughtful, passive interlude that gives you pause for reflection, in a haze of trippy memories. Though the anger returns quite decidedly, the final few minutes are like a final heavy stomp that reaches your soul.

The title track is a short and moody instrumental, brooding with those dark elements that hide in the cover of night. Much of the beauty here comes from the restraint shown. You can smell the foulness of the beast and feel its hot breath on the back of your neck, but it remains in the shadows, hungry and unsatisfied. "From the True Source" opens with clean guitar chords and a tinge of an Eastern sound. It builds in moments, laying a foundation that begins to take form and spire upwards. The incensed vocals hit you like claws tearing though your flesh, but the instrumentation remains lush and melodic. It's an intriguing combination that is all about perspective. "Wheeling, Endlessly Wheeling" is the twelve-minute closer. Ominous and powerfully heavy tones open the song, like darkened thunderheads rolling in threateningly, blotting out the sun. They leave as abruptly and dangerously as they appeared, leading to clean vocals that wash over you like the purge of summer rain. The final push is harrowing, and then fades into a void as the door closes behind you.

This isn't your father's Black Metal. Your father's Black Metal has muted production, a wall of guitars and drums, and vocal shrieks that could wake the dead, at times ad nauseum. This is an artist's personal interpretation of the origins of the genre. Since the genre has evolved and greatly broadened from those early days, artists are free to make their own stamp, while still staying true to the roots of the sound. WITH THE END IN MIND have done this very well in "Unraveling; Arising." He makes smooth transitions between opposing passages, builds melody in the background with layers, and melds it all together into an experience that will touch on many different emotions. The five songs also have great variety and synergy. It is sophisticated but easy to enjoy at the same time, and much of your final conclusion can be up to your own personal perspective. This is one album that you won't want to pass up.