SILENCE OATH is a one-man Symphonic Black Metal band based in Italy. He has been a fairly prolific writer since this band began, releasing nearly and album every year. This newest is his fifth full-length release, and contains six songs. "Waterfalls" is the first. It features delicate and somber piano tones that are quite charming. "When the Pillars Come Down" is a lengthy opus. At first, it sounds like Black Metal, with a touch of doomy elements, and the guitar leads keep the sound invigorating. Solemn clean tones intermingle, with delicate effects. The mixture that follows is has it all, coming to a head with clean vocals, and a sense of hope. The dark sounds return, and it waxes and wanes between the two through the end.

"An Irrational Mind's Ludicrous Dominion" begins with aggressive guitars and drums, and Black Metal screams. Thick and dark symphonic element follow, and I am reminded of DIMMU BORGIR. The song moves quickly but catches its breath with clean harmonic vocals interspersed. It settles at the half-way mark with fragile melodies as the sun peaks through the clouds. Whispered spoken words follow, and warning hairs rise on the back of your neck for good reason. Back come the aggressive tones once again.

"The Calling" is a shorter and darker offering that begins with that thick Black Metal sound and some harrowing elements in the background. The clean harmonies however enrich the song quite well. But it stays in the shadows for much of its length. The title track is another opus. It develops slowly, with clean guitars at first, but the figure in the background begins to get closer. The main riff is both eloquent and punishing, and the cleans that follow are emotive and calming in a sense. It comes to a grand ending with a veritable explosion of sounds all melding together.

"Eradicate the Firmament" closes the album. It opens with moments of darkness that seem suspended in time. He experiments with a variety of techniques here that remind me of being thrust into the great abyss of space. Filippo has a sense of the grandiose on the album, building strong compositions that are equal in doses of fearful trepidation as well as fragile and beautiful moments that tantalize the senses. He leaves no stone unturned, and explores many different sounds. I recommend this album to any fans of Black Metal who appreciate some variety in their music.