This record is without doubt the best thing I've heard in the last 12 months. Taking the epic crunch of Isis and the delicate post rock of Mono and Godspeed YBE, the massive feel of Pelican and a dollop of the hypnotic groove of Tool, and you're about half way there.
The record feels like a progression in it's own right - it feels like it's moving things forward, and that's a rare thing in what is a largely stagnant scene. At once crushing and unbelievably pretty it requires an investment of time to really get the most from, but it will continue to pay dividends. I buy a lot of records and it's rare for a CD to stay in my player for more than a day consistently, this record has been on rotation for two weeks and counting. And I feel richer for it.