Grieving Mirth - Calamitosvs Omine EP

Artist: Grieving Mirth
Release Title: Calamitosvs Omine EP
Year: 2015
Label: Loud Rage Music
Genre: Atmospheric/Post-Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Malaugurio
2. Indelectatvs
3. Optio
4. Mille Facce
5. Abuso

Coming together in 2011, international post-black metal supergroup Grieving Mirth have brought their collective members’ experience together into a rather solid and enjoyable output of melodic and dreary atmospheric-tinged black metal. With the original recording done several years before vocals were utilized, the groups’ first EP was originally self-released March 18, 2015 before a re-release July 1, 2015 on Loud Rage Music.

By adopting this style of post-metal, the album comes off rather familiar and rudimentary quite easily here as it offers very few deviations for the style. For the most part, it’s basically a series of swirling tremolo riffing in a galloping mid-tempo push that gives this a style similar to a vast majority of the genre as it’s often paired with long-winded sections featuring the same buzzing tremolo riff repeating for some warm, rich melodies. While it’s paired nicely alongside blasting drumming and bombastic, epic keyboards for a generally massive sound throughout here, the simple fact that there’s not a whole lot else to really glean from this one does seem to hold it back somewhat as there’s only so much deviation done in these few tracks and it serves as effective and enjoyable if one-dimensional due to that. The chance to offer more tracks would push for some more deviation throughout here, but otherwise there’s not a whole lot else to find within this one.

Though there’s nothing that overtly wrong with what’s on display here, the fact that there’s room for more to work with in regards to their sound makes for quite an appealing effort only for the most devout atmospheric black metal aficionados or fans of the members’ other projects.

Score: 70/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://loudragemusic.bandcamp.com/album/grieving-mirth-calamitosvs-omine

Antimateria - Valo aikojen takaa

Artist: Antimateria
Release Title: Valo aikojen takaa
Year: 2016
Label: Purity Through Fire Records
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Intro
2. Sieltä mistä valokaan ei milloinkaan karkaa
3. Tieni kohti lopullista tuhoa
4. Roihuten läpi yötaivaan
5. Kun aukeaa mysteerit kuoleman
6. Kadoten merien hautaan
7. Valo aikojen takaa

Emerging from the bowels of the genre, Finnish one-man atmospheric black metal project Antimateria has quickly gathered themselves into a force within the genre as main man Ahma has turned the project into a beast of celestial black metal magic. Quickly coming out with the projects’ first proper piece of recording, the debut full-length was originally released September 1, 2016 on Purity Through Fire Records.

From the start, it’s quite clear here that there’s a strong and profound sense of raw, celestial-worshipping black metal at hand. From the tight, churning riff-work that takes the simplistic tremolo-style series of patterns and merges them with a strong series of light keyboard work to really get this one going here. Even with the raw, gravelly production it’s still possible to discern the warm, lush atmospheric melodies swirling around throughout here which comes from the simplistic riff-work and rumbling rhythm section charging away in the background which manages to make for quite a stylistic contrast to the rest of the album here with this one really generating the kind of light, serene atmosphere that plainly keeps this in the genre for the majority of the running time. Given the fact that the extended, generous lengths of the tracks for the most part here, the ability to really let the melodies sink in and create the haunting atmosphere possible this really manages to make this hold up much more than expected with the melodies and rhythms coming together quite nicely, but the fact that the album’s thick, gravelly production style becomes the main problem here as this tends to reduce the type of variety and dexterity found within the riff-work and gives it a much too apparent sense of solidarity with the songs sounding much too similar and familiar to each other. The album comes off like a rather straightforward blur of simplistic riffing and driving-but-familiar drumming that manages to hold the atmospheric keyboards in check throughout here which doesn’t really detract it as much as expected.

Despite losing some of its power here with the thick, raw production featured here, the fact that there’s still a lot to enjoy here with the extended, atmospheric sections at play here really tends to give this one a big bump and makes this one work rather well for fans of this type of simplified atmospheric black metal.

Score: 89/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://www.purity-through-fire.com/shop/sites/ger/catalog.php?cat=1&startat=0&artnbr=2564&letter=&lang=de&art_sort=0#det2564

Chiral - Gazing Light Eternity

Artist: Chiral
Release Title: Gazing Light Eternity
Year: 2016
Label; Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Atmospheric/Post-Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Part I (The Gazer)
2. Part II (The Haze)
3. Part III (The Crown)
4. Part IV (The Hourglass)

Having adopted their new-found style, one-man Italian atmospheric/post-black metallers Chiral have settled into quite a groove with their switchover to this style after their initial formation as a black/doom project as this allows the band to incorporate more folk influences into the raw black metal. A concept album about the evolution and perception of the perpetual flow of time on men, places and memories, the second full-length album was originally self-released October 27, 2016.

As is to be expected with bands that employ this particular style, the main inference here is on the bands’ atmospheric black metal standings, which are placed at the forefront of the music in grand fashion. Centered upon swirling, highly-melodic tremolo patterns at a constant, repetitive style that sweeps along through the music in here which results in numerous passages of extended rhythms circling around the same central pattern from these arrangements interspersed with instances of fine keyboards and blistering, straightforward drumming that packs a great deal of rumbling double-bass motifs into the music. This ends up replicating the wholesale naturalistic vibe presented throughout that’s commonly associated with this particular subgenre of atmospheric black metal, and with the light ambient interludes placed along the way that bring about plenty of even more melodic intersections with this one managing to gain quite an invaluable degree of slow-burning simplistic rhythms that draw upon their exchanges of atmospheric works to give this quite an impressive outing from the start. At only four tracks, though, there’s bound to be a feeling of incompleteness to the effort as this one really seems to go for a series of the extended swirling rhythms for long periods of time with only a few chances to add to that due to the short running time. It’s really only the main thing wrong with this one otherwise.

Being just a touch too short for it’s own good, that’s the only real flaw for this album as the main factors for it being quite enjoyable and entertaining are much more prominent here which really propels this one quite nicely for fans of droning atmospheric black metal or fans of his past works.

Score: 82/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://chiral27.bandcamp.com/

Mesarthim - .- -... ... . -. -.-. .

Artist: Mesarthim
Release Title: .- -... ... . -. -.-. .
Year: 2016
Label: Avant Garde Music
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. .----
2. ..---
3. ...--
4. ....-
5. .....
6. -....

Adding to their impressive catalog, Australian atmospheric black metallers Mesarthim have gained immeasurably during the year as there’s plenty of advanced work to be found on their releases as they continue to explore the celestial bounds of the cosmos. Being the duo’s third overall release of work in the calendar year, their second full-length overall was originally self-released August 28, 2016 before a reissue October 25, 2016 on Avantgarde Music.


The main element that’s featured here is the fact that, this one manages to continue on the bands’ tradition of incorporating plenty of strong cosmic stylings into their attack. Once again built around the swirling tremolo riffing that’s synonymous with this particular style, replete with simplistic patterns and overly bombastic drumming that pounds away plenty of power for the style which really strongly keeps this one rooted in the atmospheric black metal realm. When this one introduces the celestial vibes here in the stark, sprawling rhythms and sonically-induced keyboards, there’s plenty of fine work to be had here with this one really generating the kind of atmospheric arrangements that perfectly accompany deep space such as this one attempts which is quite nicely integrated throughout the whole album and never really lets up. That does come back to bite this one slightly, though, in that the album does come off as so one-dimensional with it’s simplistic riff-work and celestial rhythms that it’s almost too predictable and doesn’t really offer the kind of surprises in the overall patterns to readily surprise much throughout this. Still, this is of such insignificance that there’s much more to like overall here with this attack that it does overcome many of the problems usually associated with this style.


While it’s not all that impressive in terms of variances or a dynamic attack, there’s much more to like here in terms of the bands’ well-worn celestial influences and their power at generating it that it manages to overcome this factor well enough to be readily appropriate for fans of their previous work or celestial black metal in general.

Score: 85/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://mesarthim.bandcamp.com/album/-

Irillion - Egledhron EP

Artist: Irillion
Release Title: Egledhron EP
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Turpial
2. Tierra negra (Parte I)
3. La lucha del Catatumbo
4. Tierra negra (Parte II)
5. El Yann
6. Egledhron

Formed just in 2015, Venezuelan one-man atmospheric black metallers Irillion have formed themselves into a solid semblance of atmospheric black metal as the instrumental portion of their attack is a rather true portion of the style. As sole composer and instrumentalist Rayner V. continues along his fine quest, the project's debut release was originally self-released digitally September 24, 2016.

On the whole this here is wholly simplistic and rather primitive-styled black metal built around low-fi, swirling tremolo riffing and buzzing basslines while featuring raw, thudding drumming pound away in the background. The simple-minded riffing is given quite a free-reign of the material here which lets the atmospheric passages weigh on this one quite heavily with the straightforward arrangements bringing that buzzing tone and tremolo riff-work to let the band be able to switch over quite nicely from the blaring riffing to a more relaxed, melodic atmosphere. This comes off rather nicely throughout here with a nice deal of variety thrown into the mix, though the album’s overall simplistic nature does seem to strike up a series of overly familiar patterns and rhythms quite easily. This one tends to run into the same overall patterns quite early and often with long stretches of the running time devoted to simplistic strumming and plodding tempos over and over again which does evoke a fine atmosphere as was intended even though it’s quite repetitious and could certainly get hammered out over time. Likewise, the raw recording material is a bit much for this one to take at times with the weak-sounding material likely putting some off who care more for a professional, polished sort of material. Though these do hamper the project, they’re somewhat excusable due to being part of their debut release.

Despite a few minor issues here holding it back that are more likely concerned with being involved in a debut release and can be somewhat excused and forgiven here, the remaining parts here are certainly worthwhile enough for those who can look past those for some decent-enough and overly simplistic atmospheric black metal.

Score: 65/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://irillion.bandcamp.com/

Kausalgia - Dreamquest

Artist: Kausalgia
Release Title: Dreanquest
Year: 2016
Label: Saarni Records
Genre: Atmospheric Black/Dark Metal
Tracklisting:
1. The Call
2. Thorns
3. Sarastus
4. Stagnation
5. Dreamquest
6. Vihamiehet
7. Moss
8. As the Curtain Falls

Initially formed in 2004, Finnish atmospheric black/dark metallers Kausalgia spent numerous years as Hypotermia until a moniker change in 2010 as well as a style change from a rawer form of black metal into their more common atmospheric sound. As they’ve taken their time to hone this set-up, after three years in the studio the group finally prepares it’s full-length debut to be released July 18, 2016 on their own label Saarni Records.

From the beginning there’s a rather heavy blend of atmospheric and rather melodic blend of black metal that seems to be built around the tight, frantic series of swirling tremolo riff-work. That wraps into a mostly dynamic attack with the strong swirling patterns taking up plenty of rather impressive tempos here as the straightforward approach keeping the riffing rather frantic and furious. That atmosphere is allowed plenty of leeway to work with the album’s main penchant for utilizing long, drawn-out simplistic dark metal rhythms that bring these to a grinding halt with their rather plodding paces and a dropping of the atmospheric rhythms for more melodic tones that just really doesn’t offer up much in terms of generating the necessary energy to keep the black metal elements in check throughout here. From the soft, near-romantic rhythms that are accompanying the drawn-out, plodding paces alongside it all together in one package to the simple riffing patterns, there’s not a large amount of enjoyable elements present in these sections to keep this one interesting and they tend to grind the album to a halt with their bland rhythms. Frankly, the fact that this is still a debut album does mean this gets somewhat of a pass due to the group still trying to find their sound but it’s far more enjoyable without those elements present.

Though it does have a few problems here with the dark metal rhythms being rather bland at times, there’s still some rather enjoyable elements present here to provide enough of a launching pad as they go about their career in the future that they are a quite intriguing group for those who prefer this type of effort for the most part.

Score: 74/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://kausalgia.bandcamp.com/

Tzaak - Gjemt ondskap

Artist: Tzaak
Release Title: Gjemt ondskap
Year: 2016
Label: Sepulchral Silence
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. My Masterpiece
2. Gjemt ondskap
3. Cultural Heritage
4. Future Descendants

A mysterious one-man band, Norwegian atmospheric black metal project Tzaak has quietly arrived and spread it’s brand of pleasing ambient themes and atmospheric black metal together into a solid whole. Coming together for it’s debut effort, the moving and dynamic release was initially independently offered June 28, 2016 before a re-issue July 10, 2016 on Sepulchral Silence.

At the onset of this one, it’s pretty apparent that there’s a lot of epicly-arranged rhythms here with this one tending to utilize the rather straightforward and one-shot riffing style here. Offering a simplistic, buzzing-style of tremolo-picked riffing swirling along at a majestic, mid-tempo pace here there’s plenty of warm, naturalistic melodies at play within these rhythms as the straightforward mid-tempo plod that the majority of the album is played at manages to generate a fine sense of the overt atmosphere present here. With plenty of epic, majesty-laden melodic accents from the riff-work added alongside the album’s tendency to navigate excessively overlong and majestic atmospheric accents that are able to make this feel far more epic with it managing to travel alongside these overlong arrangements with plenty of tight-if-overly-simplistic arrangements generated throughout the tracks and some nicely-placed keyboard melodies that aren’t overworked here. Even when the album does kick it up in terms of the arrangements and tempo here, there’s still that overly warm and majestic feeling here that comes off so well in regards to settling the epic atmosphere, and there’s overall a lot to like here. There’s a minor issue here in that the tracks, due to their epic length, tend to feature monotonous arrangements that aren’t all that pleasing, as many of the outros are stretched out over a minute or more with endless acoustic riffing or just plain dull elements that aren’t in the slightest enjoyable as they make it obvious the album’s being stretched out to that epic length. The brevity of the tracks is a minor issue, but overall not nearly as much as the other issue.

While it does wear it’s length quite heavily and features some rather bland moments that come from that, it’s still got enough enjoyable elements that show it’s got something enjoyable going on with it that this ends up being quite an appealing effort for fans of atmospheric black metal of all kinds or those that appreciate epic metal of this variety.

Score: 80/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://sepulchralsilencerecords.bandcamp.com/album/gjemt-ondskap

Vukari - Divinations

Artist: Vukari
Release Title: Divinations
Year: 2016
Label: Bindrune Recordings
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Divination I
2. Divination II
3. Cursus Honorum
4. Invictus Maneo
5. Ad Delerium I
6. Ad Delerium II
7. Sovereignty Through Extreme Tyranny
8. Bathe in the Divine Light

After a brief start as Vucari, Chicago atmospheric black metallers Vukari have quickly found their voice after the letter swap as they’ve since released two spectacular efforts already before this new release. Released on CD August 1, 2016 through Bindrune Records, this fantastic and immersive record should hopefully get the band onto the top of the scene with their second effort.

Frankly this here is one of the more impressive and devastating efforts in this particular style as there’s a concerted effort to keep the effort atmospheric as well as still firmly rooted in black metal. The core of utilizing the traditional black metal aesthetic here with rather fiery swirling tremolo-picked riffing and a rabid, churning series of rhythms here produce a rather vicious framework that comes complete with ferocious blasting drum-work and snarling patterns which is quite apparently influenced by the old-school system of black metal. Amongst all this savagery though is the album’s fundamental core which is the increasingly melodic and highly dynamic atmospheric sections that are often-times the main focus of the tracks, utilizing their celestial themes and extended post-metal framework to provide a rather strong melodic sensibility here when it stands out against the remaining material here where it really whips through these swirling progressive-tinged sections that sound far more atmosphere-laden. This great mix of styles and influences really makes this swing wildly from quiet, introspective moments full of those extended atmospheric sections and to tight, fiery blasts of traditional black metal in one fell swoop, a stylistic change that perhaps might not appeal to some out there looking for more traditional atmospheric black metal. Still, of more pressing concern is the album’s overlong and rather endless second-half that features a lot of extended post-metal-style sections dragging out the song-lengths when they sound more like mindless rambling than anything. Still, this isn’t that big of an issue.

Despite having one superficial and one legitimate gripe against it, this is still one of the more imminently enjoyable and impactful bands in the scene as they get far more right than they do otherwise, leaving this one highly recommended to atmospheric or post-black metal aficionados who’ll appreciate this effort the most.

Score: 90/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://vukari.bandcamp.com/

Selvans - Lupercalia

Artist: Selvans
Release Title: Lupercalia
Year: 2015
Label: Avantgarde Music
Genre: Atmospheric Black/Folk Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Matavitatau
2. Versipellis
3. O Clitumne!
4. Hirpi Sorani
5. Scurtchìn
6. N.A.F.H.

The debut full-length from Italian atmospheric black/folk metallers Selvans continues on the band’s recent string of utterly impressive and dynamic work in that particular genre. Released October 19, 2015 from Avantgarde Music, this follows up quickly from their EP earlier in the year with over an hour of finely-crafted and vicious keyboard-led symphonic black metal with many elements of traditional Italian folk.

This here is a wholly impressive and dynamic offering of atmospheric black metal that retains a lot of those particular trappings quite well. Centered around furious, swirling tremolo riffing and a truly relentless and violent drumming style, the main mix here is the dynamic and truly charging traditional black metal at play here which is all nicely overlaid with the absolutely vicious folk work on display. Ranging from traditional Italian folk instruments in flutes and pipes as well as nicely accented keyboard lines that can at times produce a more symphonic approach only through the grandiosity of the compositions despite still clearly playing folk patterns and arrangements, the whole approach of vicious, intense black metal is a considerable achievement that flows throughout the tracks here. This naturalistic approach, coupled with the majestic tremolo riff-work swirling around the material into extravagant epics of both melodic splendour and raging fury that is actually wholly impressive considering not only is this a debut offering but it manages to make this particular shifts in style sound organic as well as a natural part of the band’s sound which scores so well here. If the album could be faulted for anything it’s the utterly unnecessary and overlong epics that keep popping up in this one which really goes on for way too long at parts with it repeating sections or riffing wholesale simply to create the epic feel rather than just do it naturally the way the rest of the music does here and these can feel like it’s dragging in spots. Overall, though, this here is a very enjoyable release.

While it does get a little down at times here with the vastly overlong approach and could probably do with some tightening here and there, this is on the whole a very impressive debut effort that should be immediately looked into for anyone with any passing interest in symphonic or folk-inspired black metal, though those looking for more traditional share might also find something of interest here.

Score: 93/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://avantgardemusic.bandcamp.com/album/lupercalia

Antiquus Scriptum/Krigere Wolf/Waldschrat/Notre Amertume - The Beginning of the End split album

Artist: Antiquus Scriptum/Krigere Wolf/Waldschrat/Notre Amertume
Release Title: The Beginning of the End split album
Year: 2015
Label: Fallen-Angel Productions
Genre: Viking/Pagan Black Metal; Black/Death Metal; Black/Folk Metal; Atmospheric Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Krigere Wolf - War's Ancestral Prophecies
2. Krigere Wolf - Come to Die with Us
3. Krigere Wolf - Supreme Energy of the Universe
4. Waldschrat - Wer Wind sät..
5. Waldschrat - Die Ruhe vor dem Sturm
6. Waldschrat - ...wird Sturm ernten
7. Notre Amertume - Cella Serpentibus
8. Notre Amertume - Tartaros
9. Notre Amertume - Le Sand d'Ouranos
10. Antiquus Scriptum - Primordium / The Skeptic Beholder

Gathering four bands together, this new split effort containing Italian black/death upstarts Krigere Wolf, Austrian black/folk metal newcomers Waldschrat, internationally-based atmospheric black metal group Notre Amertume and a lone track from Portuguese black/Viking metallers Antiquus Scriptum for a wholly enjoyable mixture and variety present. Released January 11, 2015 on Fallen-Angel Productions, this here is as fine a sampler pack ever unleashed for each of these bands and presents most of them in great fashion.

Starting with Krigere Wolf, their pummeling mixture of frantic tremolo-picked black metal with the dexterous tempo-changes and rather pounding rhythms here makes this quite a ferocious beast, making their swirling tremolo patterns at the forefront to create a dynamic and wholly-enjoyable up-tempo assault that rattles along at consistent speeds for maximum impact and devastation while still managing to successfully incorporate the sprawling majestic melodies in the appropriate manners for the perfect augmentation to the ferocity presented elsewhere. This is easily the best band on the split and really has a lot to like with their three blistering tracks.

With Waldschrat, again the omnipresent use of swirling tremolo patterns is at the forefront though instead there’s a far more pronounced blend of folk-influenced arrangements for the riffing. This still carries itself along quite well with plenty of strong and truly ferocious rhythms presented here, but the blasting tendencies are cut in favor of melodic swirling patterns and rather looser-fitting arrangements that are given a raw edge to the overall work with some great harmonic lines throughout which helps this out infinitely more to give another dynamic impact to the music. Some of the longer sprawling sections seem to go on far longer than they really should but overall there’s a lot to like here.

Up next is Notre Amertume and the international project is the clear weak-link in this offering. The simplistic, sluggish nature of their tracks is hardly impressive next to the other works, and their cliched use of celestial-influenced arrangements, plodding drumming and lethargic doom-like sprawling sections predominant in their music isn’t that enjoyable with numerous other bands attempting those elements at far more pronounced and enjoyable mixtures. The main impetus holding them back is the lethargic, lifeless doom-like paces that don’t really give them much room to really express their atmospheric patterns and in the end their three contributions are on the whole eminently skippable. 

Finally, Antiquus Scriptum contributes just a lone track, which is a highly enjoyable one even with all the different elements thrown into it. There’s symphonic keyboards, medieval-sounding horn-blasts, swirling tremolo riffing and more in the near-twenty-minute effort, and it does seem like overkill given the track has no need to go that long and really could’ve been trimmed down into a more digest form. Still, the generally up-tempo pace and convergence of influences makes for an overall fun time here and overall there’s a lot of rather enjoyable work here as there’s at least one or two sections present to appeal to most fans.

Though one of these groups is a clear weak-link and doesn't really leave much of a lasting impression, the fact that the remainder of the bands provide not only incredibly fun and exciting work that this ends up being an undeniably effective introduction to these groups as well as those longing for more bands in each of these styles.

Score: 80/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://fallangels.cafe24.com/product/detail.html?product_no=1617&cate_no=33&display_group=1

Mesarthim - Pillars EP

Artist: Mesarthim
Release Title: Pillars EP
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Pillars
2. Orbiting
3. 11
4. Constellation

The new EP from Australian atmospheric black metallers Mesarthim features the band exploring and utilizing their brand of celestial-influenced black metal at it’s brightest, if not the best. As to be expected, the music here is straightforward and simplistic black metal with the expected swirling tremolo patterns and hard-hitting blasting drum-work that makes for a truly enjoyable base setup for the inclusion of cosmic, celestial-inspired influences to come through in the guitar rhythms and intense keyboard work. That also drops off nicely into a sort of disco-inspired trance arrangements that further cements the strong astral connection alongside the riffing patterns that make for a more complete experience. That trance element, though, seems to be the one lone flaw here as it really holds up the effort here since it introduces such a choppy and stilted rhythm into the rest of the arrangements and creates a startlingly lower black metal aesthetic surrounding the music and lowers this one significantly due to that. Since the tracks are so long anyway it creates a series of extended rough patches which don’t tell that much black metal significance to the music, and it’s something to get over with this one.

As a whole the music here isn’t bad and has some solid moments. The opening title track slowly works from a simplistic swirling tremolo riff with plenty of celestial atmospheric keys as the sluggish rhythms and lethargic patterns continue on through the deep droning arrangements with the occasional burst of extended celestial melodies in the riff-work and keyboards that wind on through the finale for a solid and highly enjoyable opener.‘Orbiting’ features stylish mid-tempo trance-styled keyboard rhythms with static start/stop stuttering riff-work against the churning patterns and straightforward, simplistic pace continuing throughout as the trance elements spark the mid-tempo charge into the final half for a mostly bland and uneventful effort without a whole lot of real black metal elements throughout. ‘11’ uses a series of churning trance-styled keyboard melodies over plodding celestial rhythms and pounding drumming that continues alongside the squealing keyboards in simple, plodding patterns and a rather pronounced drop-off of celestial riffing in favor of trance-like keyboard bursts continue on throughout the finale for a somewhat decent if not entirely engaging effort. Lastly, the instrumental ‘Constellation’ uses a stylish synthesized celestial pattern throughout the light spacey tremolo riff-work and simplistic pacing that captures the feeling of cosmic tranquility for an effective and enjoyable lasting impression.

Though it does concern itself somewhat too heavily with outside black metal influences, the effect and execution of the material here is fun and wholly dynamic enough to overcome those issues and really make for a truly captivating listen for faof the style in particular for the other influences won’t win over die-hards of other styles.

Score: 60/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://mesarthim.bandcamp.com/album/pillars-e-p

Astral Path - An Oath to the Void

Artist: Astral Path
Release Title: An Oath to the Void
Year: 2016
Label: Avantgarde Music
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Maroon Sea
2. An Oath to the Void
3. Between Appalachia and the Shield
4. A Virulent Delusion
5. To Vega... Nebulous Anatomy

The debut album from Canadian atmospheric black metallers Astral Path offers a decent enough spin on this particular style in the genre as they go about launching their career. This here is based around traditional tremolo riff-work with plenty of swirling melodic keyboards weaving along throughout the tracks which adds a fantastic atmosphere here with the ability of the tracks leads to a celestial ambiance that coincides with the riffing arrangements. This is highly pleasing and engaging which makes for a great time here as the central basis for their work is nicely fused with the fiery traditional tremolo riff-work alongside the rather engrossing atmospheric melodies added together. There’s a rather big stumbling block here with this effort in that the album’s rather simplistic nature doesn’t really offer up a strong sense of variation within here as the album can run through tracks that can tend to feel as though it’s one-note. That’s mostly apparent in the one rather bland track that doesn’t go anywhere because all it does is just run through the same rhythms and melodies for the entirety of the track without doing anything new or varied with it, and it’s quite apparent in the album as a whole elsewhere even with that being the greatest singular example. As well, there’s the short running time as there’s only five tracks which can be quite a shock with the sudden ending, but otherwise there’s a lot to like here.

The tracks here aren’t really that bad and play well within the genre. Opener ‘Maroon Sea’ takes an extended synth-driven celestial riff that turns into driving swirling tremolo riff-work and frenetic drumming charging along the melodic rhythms running along throughout the steady pace as the swirling atmosphere driven throughout the final half makes for a strong opening impression. The Void title track takes simple swirling riff-work and plodding, simplistic drumming as the atmospheric riffing and celestial melodies weave throughout the series of droning rhythms carrying out throughout the extended patterns as the crashing riffing continues into the extended droning finale for a strong if somewhat repetitive effort. ‘Between Appalachia and the Shield’ uses the faded celestial synths crashes into a rather simplistic series of plodding melodic tremolo riffing as the simplistic melodies and steady rhythms carry on throughout the mid-paced riff-work leading into the light ambient celestial-inspired final half for a long, drawn-out and mostly dull offering. ‘A Virulent Delusion’ features immediate blasting drumming and ferocious tremolo riff-work running along through a frantic pace with the buzzing celestial melodies driving into the slow-down section with the light riffing and steady rhythms holding on throughout the final half for a rather enjoyable effort. Finally, album-closer ‘To Vega... Nebulous Anatomy’ uses an extended crackling fade-in intro that gives way to searing tremolo riff-work and frantic drumming whipping through a series of driving paces as the swirling melodic riffing turns into an extended section of atmospheric rhythms and light melodies before firing back into the frantic energy for the finale for yet another solid effort that ends this on a fine lasting impression.

Though the length is the clear-cut issue here, this is still a solid enough representation of the genre that does what the style provides without much change-up and makes for a solid if non-essential listen for aficionados of the style while those looking for more traditional style should heed caution.

Score: 75/100

Does it sound good to you? Order it from here:
http://astralpath.bandcamp.com/