I'll admit that I initially checked this out because I confused Deadspace with Darkspace. I'm special. Luckily, my herp led to something far more than a derp. Something about this album left me absolutely floored. From those first tortured post-black screams and perfectly implemented keys of the title track to the final blissful notes of "In the Coldness," I was captivated.
Having already been sucked in by the depressive atmosphere, I was caught off guard by the frequent rock solos that uplift from the otherwise dreary tremolo runs and post-rock rhythm chords. The seamless fusion of genres here is implemented so well and keeps the album grounded in dynamics and intrigue.
Simple, classy piano arrangements further add to the memorable nature of songs. They are mostly subtle additions, but can also carry the longer dips into sludgy, sorrowful post-metal like "The Clouds Don't Shade the Pain" or sample-driven "Oblivion."
While every instrument on this album shines with perfect production choices, I think it's the vocals that stuck with me the most. According to the band summary, Deadspace began in Perth as a means to deal with depression. If that's not true, then this guy is one hell of an actor. These are the howls of someone who seriously needs to refill his antidepressant rx. For that matter, the entire band could use some therapy.
The added, but never overdone, reverb make this sound like an album playing within the very mind of someone coping with MDD. It's a sad reminder, but also a victory call. Those who deal with clinical depression know what effort it would take to create something like this. And so, I label The Promise of Oblivion a triumph of the human spirit. Corniness patent pending (mine, not theirs). Pick it up on bandcamp for only 5 AUD (that's less than $4). CD addition is the same price.