A Storm Of Light
And We Wept The Black Ocean Within

Once the Red Sparowes and Battle of Mice experience was closed or set aside, Josh Graham (visuals for Neurosis) brought this new project to life alongside Domenic Seita (bass) and Vinny Signorelli (drums).

A Storm of Light is the name under which in this 2008 the first album is released. "And We Wept the Black Ocean Within" is a fusion of glacial visions as deep as the ocean, the latter being the element on which this sort of concept is based.

The Neurosis influences are definitely evident but not overwhelming (we are not facing a poor copy of Neurosis); the pieces are well-structured, mighty and colossal guitar riffs accompany the listener from the very first notes of "Adrift", the album's opening track.

Graham's dark and powerful voice manages to convey the depth that permeates this work well, and the simple yet decisively present drums give that slow rhythm which sharpens the flow of an extremely gloomy album time after time. There is nothing that stands out, in terms of played pieces, in this work—there is no song that should be highlighted more than any other, no "hits" to report, but it is the entirety of the album that is worth appreciating.

Not to mention the magnificent (and this does stand out) artwork that accompanies the album; after all, Graham knows how to handle images, just think of his role as "visuals" for Neurosis!!

This album falls, this is how I would define it, this album falls into a black ocean made of low and reverberating frequencies, and rarely during listening can one emerge for a breath of air, you really have the distinct sensation of being underwater and that it's nighttime too!

Floating nightmares and terror atmospheres are described across the 10 tracks of the album; few frills, but excellent riffs and a great choice of sounds, downright full and violent. "Leaden Tie" is perhaps the track I feel I should dedicate a few more passages to, not because it is particularly out of context or stands out for some characteristic, it is simply a powerful piece where Neurosis influence becomes a great starting point on which to weave a muddy web, with a good use of the Synth as an ambient instrument. The drums cruelly mark a slow tempo that takes us further and further into a dark oceanic abyss populated by monsters that even the sickest imagination could perhaps not conceive.

An album to perhaps listen to at night, an album that knows how to give the listener emotions and sudden shivers without asking much in return. You must know how to listen to albums, and this one asks nothing else; to be listened to and metabolized. Once you've done this, you probably won't be able to part from it.

Finally, there is "Breach" that accompanies us towards the closure of the album. Eerie sounds of a ship in harbor open this track, while guitar reverberations and feedback leave the listener waiting for something, but only the waves of the sea will close this track without any other hope. The black sea arrives and takes everything away, there is no escape.

So, with another note on the artwork, truly splendid and terrifying at the same time, I conclude by saying that the care behind it exponentially increases a possible final rating of the album, which nonetheless starts with a very good score on its own!

Those who loved Red Sparowes might not find satisfaction in this project, or maybe you just need to consider that although Graham played in both groups, these A Storm of Light are something entirely different!

The band name is curious. "Tempest of light"... and in this album, there truly is no light! In fact, everything is profoundly dark!

Great album!