From Bandcamp, “Raw Blood Singing” is deeply rooted in the concept of evolution - on both a human and a universal scale – stories of physical beings bound by equal parts unchangeable matter and malleable, shape-shifting energy. The music, too, has evolved beyond INSECT ARK's origin as an instrumental band, adding for the first time the deep honeyed poison of Schechter's vocals. Showing a penchant for crafting haunted and memorable melodies, the contrast of her smoky voice with the spare, brutal music feels both uncomfortably intimate and icy cold.”

“Birth of a Black Diamond” is a short mood-setter leading to “The Frozen Lake,” which enters slowly and with a very heavy bottom end. The vocals present a dichotomy in sound, as they are smooth and easy while the music is dissonant and weighted. There is also a thick tension hanging in the air. “Youth Body Swayed” is a piano led song that also has a lumbering pace. The various parts of the song which at first are disconnected with each other slowly reach for assimilation and by the second chorus, it is realized.

“Cleaven Hearted” hears that tension I spoke about earlier turned up a few notches and now it is right in front of your face. This instrumental is dark, brooding, and mysterious…the kind of song that leaves you with more questions than answers. “The Hands” is a shorter four-minute song, which has a more linear sound than some of the previous songs, as well as a chorus that stings with pain. There are also some psychedelic elements here. “Psychological Jackal” presents a desolate sound in the music combined with some emotive vocals. I have to say that this sound is odd, although pleasing in a way that is hard to describe.

“Inverted Whirlpool” is a song light in sonority but rich with bass notes, darkness, danger, and more tension that is as thick as fog. The tension grows as the song progresses, and you find yourself looking over your shoulder. “Ascension” closes the album much like it began. I can see how vocals were recently added to the band, because the album would stand up without them just fine. They add an intriguing blend of psychedelica and emotion to the music, which is indeed icy cold as described above. This is not an easily assimilated sound, but one that is filled with mystery is always work the exploration.