Sometimes the dead deserve to be honored by the living and while Anubis Rising have since gone their separate ways, Uncouth Industries have stepped in to compile their recorded works into this full-length offering. Featuring tracks from the bands "Scales Of Truth" EP and their split with Uphill Battle, plus the four songs that comprise the "Funerary Preamble" EP; not only does this outing serve as an introduction (for many) and goodbye to the band, but also a fitting elegy as well.

The music is gloomy, dark and pensive, heavy on progressive instrumentation and doomy sludge. In fact, it would fit perfectly along the lines of bands like Isis and Pelican if not for the unnerving touches of black metal mixed in. Haunting clustered arrangements intermingle with brooding guitars and bass lines that both share a penchant for effects pedals to create epic pieces of sonic ascension and deviation. When in this mindset the band jut out larger than life dirges that nearly swallow the listener whole.

But there are also numerous moments of savagery that see black metal-styled guttural bellows raked atop careening metallic dissonance and jarring sonic build-ups. Refreshingly, there is much contrast as to how the band implement these vocals as not every growl or screech is laid down to compliment a full-on battering. However, with some rather stiff production on a few of the tracks and songs that routinely clock in at the 6 minute or more range, this outing is definitely not for the weak. All in all, this is a moody, drawn-out grim affair, and a fitting end for a band who possessed much musical talent, even if their meandering compositions and lack of decisive focus often got the best of them.