TOMARUM is an Atmospheric/Progressive Black Metal band formed by in 2017. With a name that translates from Icelandic to "empty space," the aptly-titled band draws inspiration from the darkest corners of the human mind; from self-loathing, isolation, and losing the will to live. 2020 marks a new era for TOMARUM, beginning with the release of a new EP, titled "Wounds Ever Expanding." The EP builds on the sound of "Demo MMXIX," upping the intensity and potency of the music and introducing a heavy amount of influence from technical/progressive death metal. Upon its release the band is planning to hit the road in March to bring its unique brand of black metal to new territory. "Wounds ever Expanding" contains two lengthy tracks.

"Throes of Life, Forever Entwined" is the album's first track. It opens with some dissonant guitar notes, followed by a fury of Black Metal, akin to NE OBLIVISCARIS. James is a beast on the bass guitar, climbing up and down the fretboard with pinpoint accuracy. A nice ambient passage occupies the middle section of the song, with bass, drums and piano, followed by a wicked guitar solo. It culminates in a fury towards the end with maddening vocals and all instruments turned up to 11.

"Crimson Severance" is over ten minutes in length, opening with some despondent acoustical guitars, setting a melancholy mood. Some clean vocals provide a smooth sound, leading to the fury of Black Metal soon thereafter. The overall sound is a bit dissonant but you can follow a melody line, especially when the acoustic guitar comes back with the clean vocals. The passage that follows is also easy to follow. You get a sense of the band's musicianship with it. Again, it closes with a crescendo of notes that are almost impossible to comprehend, along with some alluring piano notes.

If ever there was an album with two faces, "Wounds ever Expanding" is it. The intense Black Metal passages are skillfully done by excellent musicians, while the ambient passages provide some welcomed relief. At times, the juxtaposition of the two competing sounds seems just a bit disconnected...some transitions might help with that. But, the album is excellent and their musicianship is impeccable. I expect big things from the boys from Atlanta, Georgia.