List noteThis is the first album during AGS's return to audible lyrics that really captivated me. Overall it's on the lighter side and even has some religious optimism in terms of its lyrics, but it has some darker tracks too (like the title track which, despite containing hopeful lyrics, sounds quite miserable). For me the standout tracks are Darkens The Soul, which has the magical vibe we all admire and a lyrical message that's easy to relate to, and the gorgeous So Far Away, which is definitely among my favourite AGS songs, as it has the raw emotional strength and the lushness of instrumentation that I appreciate AGS for.
List noteA return to glossolalia after a quick lyrical interlude in the form of XIII. While the sound is gorgeous, when listening to this album its structural simplicity is very noticeable, as most songs have merely 2-3 themes which are then just repeated for the second half of the song. A good ambient album when I need to concentrate on something, but on its own the lack of diversity and progression compared to superior records like Eifelian puts it toward the bottom of my ranking.
List noteI used to actively dislike this album, but over time I came to appreciate it more. I can't quite put my finger on the problem, because on paper this should be a great record. It's more experimental and adventurous than Monajjfyllen, but I guess it just sounds too weird and meandering for me, lacking strong structure, emotional depth and melodies that I appreciate AGS for. Still, this album is in my rotation when I'm in the mood for something strange.
A notable exception to my opinion of this album is the closer Ymbe which is gorgeously atmospheric and sweet. I love listening to this song before I go to bed.
List noteIt has several standout tracks like Seekers Keep The Light and In Circles, and Erin's vocals in the closing title track are extremely emotional and grabbing, but overall this record failed to captivate me. To me the vocals and instrumentation don't really mesh too well most of the time, and the songs mostly lack memorable moments. I still listen to this when I need a break from the other AGS albums, but overall it left me wanting when it came out and was pretty much supplanted by the superior The Dark Space.
List noteNot much to say about this album. It is a great ambient record, and it seems that was the intention. It mostly lacks outstanding moments, but provides good background when you're concentrating on something else. As usual, there is one exception in the form of Andromedae, which provides a great example of strong progression. The way several themes flow into each other is extremely satisfying, which is probably the reason why this track has above-average popularity among AGS songs.
List noteEverything I said about Cease To Exist applies here, but I enjoy it even less. The instrumentation should have been darker, in my opinion. To me it feels like there's a strong clash between the vocals and Scott's music. Despite this I still listen to this album and find some things to enjoy about it, like the melancholic track The Lonely.
List noteThis is the only AGS album I barely listen to. I don't know precisely why, but it just completely fails to captivate me. It has a very atmospheric and somewhat experimental sound, and the vocals are mixed in a very interesting way. But for some reason it just gives me a weird vibe. However, as always, there's a standout track that elevates this record. It is the penultimate track Extinction, which is very dark and catchy, giving off darkwave energy despite featuring no electronic elements. The vocals and guitars are just sublime here. I would like to hear more tracks like Extinction from AGS or other artists.
