Antimatter

Lights Out (The End)
by Scott Hefflon

The End Records always seems to unearth the sweetest, darkest post-metal out there. “Beauty in Darkness” is a great catch-phrase for a Nuclear Blast comp series filled with the likes of Dimmu Borgir, Therion, To/Die/For, Entwine, and the vastly-overrated Lacuna Coil (gimme 15 seconds and I can name 15 far better bands off the top of my head, and many have hot female singers as well, in case that’s why you like this second-rate band), but if plodding Goth metal and symphonic black metal is a bit too roar for your tastes, try the delicate caress of Antimatter.

Heavy like Pink Floyd instead of Pantera, Antimatter is quiet, open, rolling like thunder on the horizon. Duncan Patterson (ex-Anathema) and friends (including some sensuous female vocalists, with the kind of subdued sexiness of fingertips on your chest, not the blatent “aren’t I hot?” gyrations of so many mighty-lunged divas) create actual songs, with melodies to hum, so don’t be afraid that it’s the sparse fine art stuff only the pretentious will “get.” Call it ambient or dark rock, call it echoy, Floydian strumming with light electronic elements, just allow the dew drops to drip, the morning mists disapating as the sun peaks over the horizon. In the dozen or so times I’ve listened to Lights Out, I’ve never uttered a word or moved a muscle during the thoughtful closing reverie, “Terminal.” As gradual as daybreak, and just as inspiring… Find yourself silent and slack-jawed every time the CD ends.
(331 Rio Grande #58 SLC, UT 84101)