Melodies of Dawn in “Away from Light” by Rome in Monochrome

Title: Melodies of Dawn in “Away from Light” by Rome in Monochrome

By: Rana Atef a.k.a (Dark ~~ KniGhT)

Originally published on 5/7/2018 at 10:07 pm

Release Details 

Album: Away from Light (Full Length)

Band: Rome in Monochrome 

Genre: Doom Metal/ Postrock 

Release Date: 2018

Origin: Italy 

Rate: 9/10

Introduction 

So I am back to blogging again after a few days off, and it is really great to initiate my comeback with reviewing such a beautiful piece of art as “Away from Light” by one of the finest Italian bands Rome in Monochrome. I will follow the same battern I follow in my reviews: the story, band background, the review, and finally the rate and the conclusion.

The Story

Now, it is 5:40 am in Cairo so I decided to write this review in the same time of the dawn and early morning to give my review some sort of real experience.

Actually, I should give the credits for the great Egyptian metalhead, The Encyclopedia, Muhammed Saad, as this album is one of his recommendations and of course as a Doom Metal lover and PostRock fan, I liked to give Rome in Monochrome a try :)

So I downloaded the album, and I was surprised that finally I found a companion for early morning- lonely time.

So, through the following days I decided to move my experience with the album to my blog, and wave to the band members by my voice, to give him support from the south 

Actually, after posting a comment on the band’s page, honestly, I received a message from Valerio Granieri, the lead vocalist of the band :), and actually it was interesting, special conversation specially it was before RIM jam :D :O 

It is amazing, right?

Band Background

Rome in Monochrome is an Italian Doom/Postrock band founded in 2013 by Gianluca Lucarini, and after different line up changes, the band released two releases “Karma Anubis”, and “Away from the Light”

The band members are: Valerio Granieri, Gianluca Lucarini, Alessio Reggi, Marco Paperella, Riccardo Ponzi, Flavio Costagnoli.

The Review

Are you ready? 

The first track of the album is “Ghosts of Us”, the tracks is opened with attractive guitar sounds, and their melodies are like a sneaking one in the darkness, feelings of confusion, and fear. Even the vocals are like a one who describing a scene, “I’ve only seen the ghosts of us, this may kill me now”

The mood of the track is very darkened, and bleak, you are listening to the sounds of darkness, and watching moving creatures in the air.

A combination between fact, and fiction, reality and dreams.

The final part of the track carries a growling part with clean vocals echoes dancing with the impressive guitar sounds. 

“A Solitary King” is the upcoming track, this track is somehow more painful, the lyrics actually painted hard image for solitary and emptiness.

That’s why the vibes of the music are somehow faster, more active, even the drums beats are higher.

Actually you can touch the essentials of Postrock morning sounds in the harmonious riffs, and catch the pain in the following calling with “A Solitary King” with real depressed clean vocals “Here where I live, from when I was born, I was always here, each frame of memory is like this” 

The repeated diction is stressing the concept of no-exit, specially with growling with a clean vocals background, actually in my point of view, it is the best track in the album 

Moving to my favorite “Paranoia Pitch Black” which opened with blackened guitar distortions moving to more painful, aching sounds. Idk why the music leads me to touch my own misery, yes I failed everyday, I lost all my targets, I carry heavy burdens, too heavy to stand up again! 

In my early morning, I hear existential sounds, counting my scars, listening to unorganized sounds from my mind, watching me falling every moment!

“Screaming inside

This Endless snow of heart

Screaming at the unpresent

Covered by the past”

Which made my feeling pour more is the painful screaming in the last part of the track with clean repeating of “Pitch Black”

“Uterus Atlantis” it was a somehow slow, calm track. It is like someone who is watching everything around him ending. 

Drums style are influenced with Funeral Doom, and the whole mood of the track is closer to Atmospheric Funeral Doom without heavy guitar sounds, the performance of the vocals is so catchy, and emotional

“December Rememberence” is the following one, we back to the heavy guitar sounds again, with memories echoes, the intro is very dynamic, and carries various guitar notes. Its theme is so close to “Ghosts of us”.

“I slept with ghosts for you

I sang with Saturn for you

I stared at the abyss 

I walked the line for you” 

Actually, this track is a unique one because it carries different riff movements, and various musical techniques, it is so attractive, and catchy.

The next track is “Until my Eyes go Blind”, a harsh title with very painful intro and scorching sounds of violin, is like painting a black and white blur picture. 

It is the only instrumental track of the album.

This track is so special, it is closer to Empyrium, and Uaral instrumental parts of their tracks.

We can say that “Until my Eyes go Blind” is just an initiative for “Between the Dark and the Shadows”, the riffs of the guitars of both track are somehow near, the presence of slight atmospheric/ambient touches. 

As the track is talking about two moods, each musical movement reflects a certain mood, between: calm and rage, pain and relief, light and dark, and Black and White.

“Only the Cold” is the last track of the album, and the longest one.

It is slow- tempo track, so close to Funeral Doom style, idk it reminds me of “Another Room” track by 40 Watt Sun, and some tracks by A Young Man’a Funeral.

Conclusion

The album is a magnificent piece of art, I liked the variety of sounds and vocals, really enjoyable, full of Postrock morning vibes.

The quality is very good one, the composition is really good.

My only negative comment is the sounf of growling needed to be lower a little bit, and to carry more harsh vocals pitches.

Rate: 9/10