WITH THE END IN MIND is an ever-changing musical entity based in the Salish Sea region of the Pacific Northwest. Initially conceived as a solo project, WTEIM has grown over the years to include many unique and talented collaborators. Harnessing the primal power of black metal, as well as elements of dark folk, drone/ambient, and classic psychedelia, they are dedicated to the sonic exploration of these supposed end times, and all the possibilities for new ways of Being that will rise from the ashes. This project will always be strongly inspired by those who fight against the shackles of oppression, for the sake of wildness and freedom. "Tides of Fire" contains three lengthy tracks.

Hushed, easy tones open the song "Set the Cavernous Soul Alight." Spoken words lead the charge of an eighteen-minute song. Depressed, melancholy sounds take the song into a fuller sound. It then leads to Black Metal madness. Drums and guitars build a wall of sound, while the vocals rage over top. It takes a couple pauses along the way, creating this wonderful atmosphere of despondence. It ends with some light vocal chants.

"May the Name of Truth be Fire" is a seven-minute song, opening again with hushed tones and more spoken words. "We are out doing battle...we are lovers amidst wreckage..." he croons. "My gallows in the source of life, but one day he who kills me will die." The messages here are deep. "I will show no fear to the fire...may we laugh together at the suffering...may we scream the death rites of this civilization...may we make war on fear...may we walk into the fire with reverence for the fire." There is little music here...it just serves as a backdrop to the message of the spoken words.

"Returning, Reclaiming" is a 22-minute opus. Opening with soft drumming and doleful acoustical guitars, it sets the stage for a long build. First come the guitars, then the screaming Black Metal vocals. It slows close to the halfway mark and then rests for many bars, with clean guitars and a steady hum in the background. The bass begins to thwack and it builds into a slightly hopeful sound that you know will soon be dashed. But, enjoy the moment, because it's quite charming. The madness returns, then around the 15-minute mark, it slows again to breathe. From there, it's a slow, soul-crushing ride to the finish line.

Overall, this album was a journey, to the darkest recessed of your mind, to allow things that you thought were long buried away to resurface and haunt you all over again. It's Black Metal at its core, but I love the band's interpretation of the genre and how many other elements they were able to incorporate into the album. It's very dark, and harrowing, but retains an edge that keeps it quite lively, even among the ever-grey landscape of the album. This is something an fan of darker Metal should here, because it quite well done.