Actually, I would have to say this album is similar to both albums in different ways. This album has a lot of darker atmospheres going throughout it like All the Beauty had. Fortunately, the level of song writing is much more similar to that of I Have Lost (though, maybe not quite as good). As for the singing, it’s a bit different this time. Kat still sounds the same as she did on I Have Lost—that is, she still has a wonderful voice reminiscent of a deeper toned Sharon den Adel. Along with Kat’s wonderful vocals we have male vocals as well, provided by Hans Olav Kjeljebakken. Hans’ vocals are more common throughout the album than they have been throughout past albums—singing, whispering, and even growling are heard throughout the album. I think they add quite a nice contrast to Kat’s voice.

The blending of the two voices is best shown by the first track—which goes down as my all time favorite Mortal Love song, "I Make the Mistake". It’s a mid-paced song with some of the most beautiful melodies I’ve heard. Kat’s never sounded as good as she has on this track—ditto with the male vocals! They are both just dripping with emotion and when they harmonize in the chorus I actually get a bit choked up. The following three tracks—"Of Keeping the Fire Down", "While Everything Dies", and "My Shadow Self"—are all wonderful as well. "Still it Has Only Just Begun" is also fantastic with both singers really shining. Though, "In the End it Decides" and "As We Can Not Be One" are very pointless filler tracks. The album ends with the title track, which is definitely an effective track. The rest of the unmentioned tracks are pretty good tracks alone, but sort of pale in comparison to the other tracks.

In conclusion, this is a very well made record. I don’t think it is quite as good as I Have Lost, though it’s certainly a million times better than their debut. I would recommend this album to any prior fan of the band as well as female fronted metal fans in general.

8.5 / 10