As Sinister and Dramatic As It Is Melodic…

Released this past March, Eternal Rituals for the Accretion of Light marks Junius’ third full-length album release into the world. The LP begins with “March of the Samsara,” immediately grabbing the listener’s attention with an eerie yet reverberant backing section amid crushing guitar tone that is just as sinister and dramatic as it is melodic. Amid the symphonic elements that weave together in the rhythm section, rich and sonorous vocals permeate the mix almost to the same effect as Peter Steele’s delivery during the opening to “Christian Woman,” but with a more nefarious aura.

The album features seamless transitions and rich, energetic sequences littered throughout many tracks, such as “A Mass for Metaphysicians” and “Clean the Beast.” The progression throughout the album is linked together by masterful control of force and tempo through symphonic arrangements and precisely calculated instrumental breaks.

The three songs leading up to the conclusion give the listener time to relax before the final track “Black Sarcophagus” brings forth the end. It features burgeoning crescendo and culminates with a forceful and riveting shift into an abrupt end.

With a total runtime just north of 45 minutes, Eternal Rituals for the Accretion of Light is conceivably short enough to enjoy during a commute to work or school, but substantial enough to leave the listener satisfied at the end. As a whole, the album does not showcase speed, volume or belting vocals as a centerpiece to the composition; it pulls its power from a compelling undertow that seems to pull the listener along with the music. Collectively, the album is a smorgasbord of post-metal goodness brimming with a menacing and disquieting aura and incredibly rich harmonic formations.