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This CD compiles the complete discography of the Funeral Doom band Hierophant (the band that was a pre-cursor to the fantastic band Catatcombs). As the band only released three admittedly lengthy EPs in their lifespan, a couple of the tracks on offer are repeated in the first few tracks, (albeit with a greater production on the re-recorded efforts). Don't let it put you off though, as this is a great addition to any funeral doom fans collection.

Rumbling and crawling with the same Lovecraftian expansiveness that encapsulated Catacombs' two releases, "The Tome" is an achingly slow, crushing tide of cement grey matter pushing down on you for over an hour of sheer despondency. Whilst the pounding rhythm guitar effervesces and crackles out its oh-so-slow rhythms, another guitar lays down a delicate melody to truly twist the knife with a smile. The sound is rounded out by the bass, which hums and resonates throughout, as well as the sporadic drum hits which pierce the atmosphere with gunshot like cracks, and the fantastic gurgled growls that seep throughout the mix like bubbles in a tar pit. All these things combine effortlessly for a twisted, sludgy brew of epic proportions.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable release throughout (even with the repeated tracks so early on), and a perfect album for fans wanting to hear more high quality funeral doom in the vein of Thergothon and Skepticism.