Ok, there are weird fonts and then there are illegible fonts. The font that ASVA uses to spell out the CD title and song list is almost unreadable. And what it lacks in illegibility it "makes up" for by just generally being annoying. It's one of those juvenile fonts that replace letters with symbols and numbers that look only sort of like the letter it's supposed to represent. For instance, instead of an "h" they use a "4." Instead of an "E" they use a "3." I would type out a sample, but I suspect most keyboards lack the capacity to make most of the symbols used. Regardless, it is a futile exercise to try and read the song titles.
ASVA creates low, sludgy, doomy, sculpted, and long compositions. It starts out instrumental through most of the first two thirds of the album, though vocals creep in to the end of track three and dominate track four. Indeed, it is the vocals that rescue this album in the end. As things trudge along in a mechanical, repetitive way the vocals add a needed touch of humanity to the album.
While the general concepts explored are interesting, they drag on for far too long without a change of pace. Even the random aspects of the album feel repetitious. If you are into that this album will be a solid pick, but most of us will stay away.
1.5/4
