As everyone knows, evolution is a strong force that guides a musician through the ways as a band exists. And the North American band TWILIGHT can be said as a fine example of this aspect, because if "Twilight" (whose reissue was reviewed last week) was an album that showed a band with a great musical potential, "Monument to Time End" (their second album, also reissued) is the materialization of what the world "evolution" means.

The aggressiveness level decreased a bit, but the songs evolved a lot. On this album, many atmospheric/Progressive/Post Black Metal influences are presented along with a Groove Metal touch. Things are far better, because everything is with a better sound quality, and the band worked better their music, including the use of a better set of vocal tunes (even some Gregorian Chants like voices can be heard), the musical technique increased a bit, and the musical arrangements were done in a way that all of them fits without trying to be "real" or "brutal" without need, and the melodies are better understood now. It's a great album, indeed! If on the first album they were near of what BLOOD STORM did on the past, "Monument to Time End" is in a way similar to WOLVES IN THE THRONES ROOM and ABIGAIL WILLIAMS, including some experimental touches.

The evolution of the band is side by side with a better sound quality. Azentrius, Wrest and Sanford Parker worked on the production, guaranteeing a sound that is truly crude and aggressive, but in a way that TWILIGHT's music can be assimilated by the listeners. Now, it's truly heard to choose a set of better songs as a reference for the readers. But "The Cryptic Ascension" (an excellent long and introspective song, with some faster parts, showing very good vocals and guitars), the crude introspection of "Fall Behind Eternity" (excellent slow tempos, and what a very good work from bass guitar and drums) and of "8,000 Years", the darkened feeling and melodies that fill "Red Fields" (good keyboards parts in many moments), and the traditional Black Metal song with a modern and Post Black Metal touch show on "Decaying Observer" can be a fine choice for the first hearing. But this version has 3 bonus tracks: the live versions for "The Road South", "Weathered Flames" and "The House of Cards (Built on a Burning Bridge)", but they can be understood without complains.

This album is really amazing, and if "III: Beneath Trident's Tomb" is as good as "Monument to Time End", it deserves a new release as well, and TWILIGHT is too good to be resting on an early grave...