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ASSUMPTION “Paradox Of The Arrow”
ASSUMPTION “Paradox Of The Arrow”
By Dr. Abner Mality
Regarding the album title, it refers to an observation by the Greek philosopher Zeno. He said that if you isolate an arrow in flight by one moment in time, it appears to be motionless. The rapid motion of the arrow is a succession of motionless moments strung together. A paradox indeed! So endeth the lesson for today.
It shows that Italy’s ASSUMPTION are not going to be singing about rotting zombies, nuclear war or driving fast cars, but rather some deep philosophy. And they use the musical vehicle of death/doom for their musings on reality. It’s a perfect match, because this album requires thinking for both music and lyrics. It has emerged as one of the very best death/doom albums of the year.
We have just six songs here, but each one is packed with dense heaviness and interesting arrangements. Even better, ASSUMPTION doesn’t rely on 10 or 20 minute monoliths but opts for more moderate length, with nothing reaching the 8 minute mark. What a relief that is! The music is firmly anchored in a mix of cavernous INCANTATION-style lumbering and a more avant-garde approach reminiscent of the great DISEMBOWELMENT. These guys are true architects in the clever way the create transitions in tempo and riff…each song contains at least one powerful moment where things shift gears brilliantly. There are moments of speedy brutality, odd low key melodies and thick, ponderous slabs of doom. The title track and “A Labyrinth In Ruin” are beautiful examples of how they operate.
Later tracks like “Southwards Our Spirits Shall Forever Drift” and “Vyrkolakes” become more expansive and atmospheric, even progressive, but the deadly crush of doom is never far. ASSUMPTION is prime death/doom for the thinking man and a great example of this form of music.
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