"Decline of the West" is a landmark of outsider indie rock, a sprawling double album that cemented Holy Sons' reputation for expansive, melancholic soundscapes. Recorded with a rotating cast of collaborators, the album dives deep into themes of desolation and spiritual searching.
- The album was recorded over several years in various locations, including Amos's own home studio.
- "Decline of the West" was initially released in a limited run on CD before receiving a wider vinyl release.
- The album's length and ambitious scope led some critics to compare it to epic works by artists like Godspeed You! Black Emperor and The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra.
Holy Sons is the long-running project of Portland-based multi-instrumentalist Emil Amos. His work has consistently explored a hazy, melancholic strain of indie rock, often evoking a sense of isolation and introspection. In 2005, Amos was deep into the foundational years of Holy Sons, having already released several albums that established his distinctive, lo-fi sound. "Decline of the West" arrived as the band was gaining a small but dedicated following within the independent music scene.
