One of the highest rated and well received newcomers inside the black / melancholic metal genre are Australian`s Austere, who received a lot of attaention and listeners with their widely recommend debut album "Withering Illusions and Desolation" (2007), 2 split-CDs, with UK based Lyrinx and Isolation from germany (2008). Now, "To Lay Like Old Ashes" is there newest release and by far best, with the use of alot more clean vocals and keyboards to lift the music austere creates to a unique level of expression, for these souls are not only just about the music! "If you watched "Home And Away" you`ll know how gloomy, depressing and desolate Australia is, No wonder they produce such heart-wrenching grimness as Austere." 8 out of 10, TERRORIZER |