Australian Black Metal with strong Norse influences and a strong interest in the epic sagas of Scandinavia; that is the modus operandi of Adelaide triumvirate Lumen Ad Mortem. Following a 2019 demo release, the LAM trio have returned with a debut full length album released across all formats by fellow Aussie label Bitter Loss Records entitled Upon the Edge of Darkness’.

Opening track ‘Infinite Resonance’ begins with a cinematic style introduction of every increasing darkness before gliding into mid-tempo drum beats and a solid, prominent bass lead that hammers forward like an immovable force whilst being joined by guitar leads as chill as a Norse glacier and vocals with a raw intensity to them that could cut to the bone, but also with tone to them like they have been summoned from a primordial Arctic cave.

As well as the thorough intensity of the Lumen Ad Mortem performance, the backdrop of astral synth conjures an image of the Northern Lights soaring high above whilst down below a maelstrom of savage, raw power builds and grows in a crescendo of throat searing vocal work, and bitter, biting riffs.

‘Upon the Edge of Darkness’ genuinely feels like a tonic for a band who hail from a land far removed from the bleak, magisterial beauty of the wintry northern lands that they so admire. And yet throughout this impressive album the band plant a never-ending series of images in the mind of vast snow laden mountain ranges, dense forests and mystical lights glowing high in the cloudless night skies. Their musical performance is breath-taking, the songcraft a wonder to behold, and the visceral brutality of their intensive sound should be experienced by all who have a mind to fathom it!

(9/10 Marksson)

https://www.facebook.com/LumenAdMortem

https://bitterlossrecords-au.bandcamp.com/album/upon-the-edge-of-darkness