They must be putting something in the water up in Grayslake, IL because for some reason unknown to us, the little populace there has a real knack for the dirge-y instrumental sound of the progressive post-metal variety. Our latest discovery from the suburbs is Sioum, a three-piece outfit with some seriously ominous sounds radiating from their seemingly simple line up of keyboard, guitar and drums. Back in July they put out a full-length by the name of I Am Mortal, But Was Fiend, a stunning 58 minutes of story told only in sound. Written as three tracks that are a little over 20 and 10 minutes long then broken down into movements, I Am Mortal, But Was Fiend is nearly an hour of give and take that swells into crescendos of dark guitar buzzing before suddenly dropping back to a gentle hum or tinkling, trembling piano…

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