Adam Michael debuted his solo project The Shimmering Carnelians in 2023 when he dropped a five-song EP called The Doorway. Just two years later, the ever-experimenting artist has come back with a rewritten, re-recorded version of the EP. Interestingly, The Doorway (Version 2.0) has a rearranged tracklist and is about five minutes shorter in total. Michael took the opportunity to cut out some of the extended intros, and I think it was a smart decision. The production quality is pretty consistent between the two versions, but the shorter length and the modified instrumentation does quite easily make Version 2.0 the better listening experience. That being said, it’s still wildly experimental and not easily digestible. One must have a taste for the avant garde and/or little to no interest in melodic consistency to really appreciate what's happening here. Michael goes back and forth between quiet, dry singing and raspy, almost intrusive yelling and screaming, which – oddly enough – complements what the music is doing. The songs aren't just pure chaos, but they move along at their own pace, getting there when and however they choose to get there. One moment could be serving up some grungy electric guitars, and the next could be filled with quieter notes atop an arhythmic drum beat. You never really know what to expect. The only real consistency is found in Michael's unwaveringly devoted lyrics, which drip with desperation for God. "Overcome With Good" touches on the Lord girding His people for spiritual battle, while "First Mark" sings of His eternal nature and His being the cause for all of creation. My favorite lyrics come in the final two tracks. "Pretty Graves" considers our inherited sin nature ("I inherited a living living tomb / a slice of wormwood from the womb / rotten limbs decay / wilted flowers make pretty graves"), while closer "Aloe for the Nations" simply prays for forgiveness and healing ("Forgive me for those I hurt / aloe of love, salve of forgiveness / I pray for those who hurt me / aloe of love, salve of forgiveness"). The Shimmering Carnelians and The Doorway (Version 2.0) are definitely acquired tastes. If you find yourself interested in the offbeat and experimental, this might be for you. Otherwise, proceed with caution.

- Review date: 6/27/25, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com

Record Label: None
Album length: 5 tracks: 16 minutes, 47 seconds
Street Date: June 27, 2025
Buy It: Amazon Music

1. Overcome with Good (3:11)
2. First Mark (3:20)
3. The Doorway (3:52)
4. Aloe for the Nations (2:20)