FORMER WORLDS call Minneapolis, MN home and label their sound, 'sludgegaze', doom and sci-fi. Truth is, I have no real clue what 'sludgegaze' is, nor have I ever heard it used before. But then again, I've never heard FORMER WORLDS either until this copy of "Iterations of Time" slid into my possession. So here's what I now know, FORMER WORLDS is a project comprised of bassist Mike Britson of EARTHRISE, Eric Anderson of CHANGELING on drums and the mesmerizing, tortured vocals of Erin Severson.

In full disclosure, I was a late comer to vocals like this. It took me quite a long time to come to appreciate 'scream' or 'growl' vocals. But when I see a band cite one of the bands (YOB) that won me over to the style as an influence, I'm definitely interested. I'll admit, it still took me a few listens to really come to understand the direction Severson was traveling here, but I now have quite an appreciation and a more cognizant acceptance. "Spectre" is simply a beautiful opener, with layer after layer of distortion, looped low end and crushing percussion, and of course, the plaintive dramatic vocals.

My suggested track is the epic closer, "Widow Moon", though I did enjoy the album as a whole. This final track though, seems to encompass the animal that is FORMER WORLDS best. Chaos begins, a gorgeous harmonious middle portion and then the final minutes descend into a stunningly frightening malestorm that well, really satisfies.

"Iterations of Time" is four tracks and 41 minutes of an emotional roller coaster. Dramatic highs, crushing lows, atmosphere, intensity, reflection and for lack of a better term, creative genius. It's not going to be for everyone, that's for sure. But if it can win someone like me over, I firmly believe a whole bunch of folks are going to really like it.