The Living Fields create quite a well-developed mix of styles with a string ensemble acting as their background synth lines. This element alone gives the band a unique sound, but thankfully they possess enough talent and forethought to make the metal that accompanies the strings just as open minded and challenging. A progressive and Swedish metal influenced punch is to be found on the disc opener, "A Leveling Spirit" which grabs the listeners attention right away with an uplifting, if not fierce tempo. The title track takes on more of a low-key doom persona with pitch singing and more emotionally straining riff ideas that are colorful and unique as they focus on note oriented bends and other twists that pile on the interest. From the clean singing, to more deathly lows, the varied vocal style adds a lot of texture to the predominant mid-ranged scream and this off centered take on decorating their sound with vocal complexity really adds a lot of depth to The Living Fields sound. The title track stands out as the best, most highly developed and epic piece on this 22 minute, 4 track MCD and it really shows how effectively and comfortably the death, doom and progressive metal styles can sit together and not sound forced or out of place. To think that all the string arrangements, music and programming was conjured by 1 person really is awe inspiring. The drum programming is exceptional. Often sounding like a real kit. Since this recording, a human drummer has been added to the equation and I feel this will only strengthen the building blocks already created by the talented musical force. Keep your ears peeled for more infinitely layered and impressive music on the horizon!
Marty Rytkonen, Worm Gear