I actually reviewed this album for another publication but wanted to give it more coverage than a sub 150 word review as it really does deserve much more so opted to cover for Ave Noctem as well. Tagging this sophomore as purely black metal might be correct but it offers so much more than that as it has that unsettling, unnerving aura that really sets you on edge creating a nerve jangling dread like experience that seems to signal imminent disaster that you have no control over as it that threads through the entire album from start to finish.
With each track being suffixed with ‘The’ each tune feels like a chapter in a chronicle, an apocalyptic clairvoyance of forthcoming events through six sonic devastations that begin with ‘The Weaver Of Tendons’. There is no expected intro as the song immediately assails the listener with its blasted nihilism that whilst savage possesses drifting post blackened terror via the guitar work and cleaner vocal style that enhances the songs terrorizing credentials hugely. ‘The Presence In The Mist’ drops the pace into miasmic bloodcurdling atmospheric horror where drum fill gradations link to that post black style I’ve hinted at as the vocals take on more tortured strains before the song intensifies via the double kick fortification as the track twists and contorts through its grimacing vocals and guitar disfigurations.
Stripping the album back to raw primeval barbarity ‘The Sculptor Of Thoughts’ has a far more blackened enraging black metal focus where the blast beat intermittence retains caustic momentum replete with acidic vocals that harness a 90s aura before the song plunges into a void of atmospheric intimidation where that post black ambience is really brought to the fore. Exponentially amplifying the density ‘The Wanderer Of Abstract Paths’ is a cloying ominous bituminous ghoulish abomination with a disconcerting menace and pervasive texture as the guitar work worms its way through the fabric of your being like an uncontrollable virus as the soaring vocals augment the songs grandiose ghoulishness that continues into the chilling ‘The Watcher In The Walls’. The softer more gentile opening lures the listener into a false of security before explosive obsidian shards rain down their scarring piercing malignancy. The song is terrifying where those soaring vocals allow the song to reach pinnacles of revulsion captured via the disturbing guitar work again and that sinister ethos that permeates the songs enveloping atmosphere leaving only ‘The Scribe Of Dust’ to finally corrupt your soul.
Opening with a sudden influx of power the double bass delivers surges of deluging grace as a lingering hook infuses the song with the velocity showing no easing whatsoever. As the song hurtles forwards it gradually relents to unveil a softer more post black poise but no less pernicious creating a bleakness and desolation, though the speed elements are ever present. The transcending into a lone isolated guitar piece is bereft especially when the coarse vocal accompanies it towards the finale creating a melancholic malfeasance that continues towards the albums embittered conclusion.
(9/10 Martin Harris)
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