Summit
The Winds That Forestall Thy Return

The winds that forestall thy return, are those the winds that blows thee down from the summit to the point you started your journey upwards? Of course you might look a tad mashed up after that journey. Summit is an Italian one-man project, a top one at that if you judge it by its name. The title is almost longer than the album itself, the blue album with an unreadable logo has only five tracks and plays for 35 minutes.

It is mostly instrumental, post metal or progressive sludge is what it is described as and that is probably how I would describe it as well. The music is a bit repetitious and the tempo is a bit low with not so much variation over the five tracks. There are some vocals but it is almost like you don’t notice them. I think that the strongest case for this album is the atmosphere and the short playing time. And I think it is an agreeable album.

Maybe not fantastic but it works okay, especially if you want something nice and atmospheric, not too complex playing in the background while you are working with something. I don’t quite think it stands up to the scrutiny of listening more carefully as it lacks something that I cannot quite put my finger on but it just doesn’t do anything for me, I find that it sounds good and the songs are fairly good but the album is still rather forgetful.

The ending track is the highlight of the album, but not a fantastic track that one either. And I really think this album ends up feeling like a climb where you have to turn around before you reach the summit due to poor weather, so it is good to get up there but doesn’t get you the bragging right of actually getting all the way up and planting your flag there in the snow.

HHHHHHH