I was interested to hear this as it is along with Häxanu, Krieg, Skáphe and Chaos Moon one of many projects from US guitarist Alex Poole. Jack Blackburn drummer here has almost as many on the go himself and here the pair have enlisted Swedish vocalist Likpredikaren to join them. With a couple of demos mid-2000’s it would seem that it was Chaos Moon that the early incarnation of Ringarë would develop into but the name was seemingly resurrected for debut album ‘Under A Pale Moon’ in 2019 and this is now the group’s 3rd album.

I was expecting this to be a very melodic affair and on first glance I was also anticipating it being rather momentous and endless too as 3 of the 4 tracks are all over the ten-minute mark. The first of these ‘Usurping Dark Magicks’ rumbles in amidst thunder before guitar harmonies richly furrow away. There’s that melodicism in spades along with some gorgeous tinkling keyboards giving things a nice frosty feel. The vocals are raw screeching black rasps which make it incredibly clear this belongs fully in the wintery black metal mould. Lushly enfolded by glistening swathes of keyboard it’s easy to close eyes and settle in to wonderland unveiling, hoping it spurs snow to fall from the sky. Everything could easily continue in this vein and in part it does but Ringarë have a few tricks up their sleeve. The first of these are sudden and unexpected, as far as was concerned, clean ceremonial croons coming solemnly out of nowhere. It’s a huge contrast to the venomous snarls and is something that will be developed on later on this Nightside journey. The second surprise comes later on the first number when you suddenly realise the music has slowed and some atmospheric doom lines are being played sounding like they could have escaped from an early My Dying Bride Number.

These are just a couple of deviations though and it’s the cold blasts and incredibly nostalgic feel of things that are the main essence of the tracks. As clean vocals swoop back in ‘The Shadow Congregation’ provides fantastical visions of a kingdom encased in frost and ice. There’s a tempestuous flow and keyboards provide a sense of romance as they are allowed to sprawl indulgently away. Furious blasting and caustic snarls are the flipside but the sound is never short on grandiosity and grace. It’s no surprise to learn that the band take their name from Tolkien lore and even on the shorter song ‘Of Mages And Mystics’ there’s an epic flow and feeling of a huge story being told here. The final chapter for now is the near quarter-of-an-hour finale ‘Blood Pact Vindication.’ Solemnity evoked by some acoustic guitar lines this one gradually teases before moving into swirling stormy tempest, the essence of which has no problems captivating the listener over its windswept running time.

Displaying a warmth akin to a hit of the finest spirits whilst sitting next to a crackling fire this is a fine exercise in immersive musical story-telling. Perfect listening for the time of year ‘Of Momentous Endless Night’ is guaranteed to evoke passion and carry the listener off to a fantastical domain.

(8/10 Pete Woods)

https://avantgardemusic.bandcamp.com/album/of-momentous-endless-night