Vera: The Dutch Am Tuat works since 1997 at the development of a distinctive style. In the past this resulted in the album ‘Illusions Of Time’ and a demo (2006). Although these discs were important for the musical evolution of these four Dutch guys, the new album ‘Inmotion’ shows a completely new approach. This direction can be described as an innovative blend of all kinds of (metal) styles. Death/black/doom metal prevails, but they do not scruple to broaden their musical horizon to progressive, and in this case mainly atmospheric parts. This is due to their admiration for the institute Pink Floyd.
‘Inmotion’ is a self-financed release and with its sixty-six minutes it offers a proper insight in the band’s intentions. It is conspicuous that the heaviest tracks can be found at the beginning of the album. From the sixth song (‘Ahead Of Sadness’) on, melancholy and atmosphere is put first. However, you have to ignore the rather mediocre production - especially an eyesore during heavier tracks - but actually this album would be a real stunner if clean vocals and production were better.
‘Oath Of The Sacrificed’ kicks off heavily with sturdy Amon Amarth alike riffs and very, very deep grunts, soon followed by higher blackish screams and melodic guitar leads. From ‘Desidero Fides’ on, we regularly hear melancholic clean vocals. They are mixed way too far in the back in a song as ‘Distant Shores’, but they sure add a zest to the variegation. Vocally the band has similarities with Belgian Thurisaz, in their ways to build up compositions as well, but Am Tuat does not use keyboards. Spatial effects on guitars in ‘Lost’ (with its infectious beats it would be a perfect match for a single) and ‘Fading Images’ herald a tendency that comes to full bloom in the next songs. The mysterious ‘Ahead Of Sadness’ is a magnificent quiescent song with an acoustic classical guitar solo. But this is only a taster for the true magnum opus of the record; the eighteen minutes long ‘A Cry; The Sound Of A Tragedy’. It opens all registers and does not bore a second! All elements used by Am Tuat pass by, heavy as well as fragile and dark and this mammoth composition does not yield to the better progressive works. The last two songs are a bit faster and straight forward again, but they include any smooth Pink Floyd influences too if you go deeper into the matter. Yet ‘Inmotion’ turned into a very heavy and accessible album. This is a band with a great future if they do a lot of gigging and ink a deal with the right label!
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