2015's "A Furrow Cut Short" was the last album I checked out by these guys. Their drummer was killed fighting Russia last year, so not sure who is behind the kit on this one or if the band is even alive by the time I press publish. It opens with just the guitar ringing out more solemnly. The first track makes you begin to wonder if their studio got blown up as it is just the sound of the guitar and someone walking in the snow. Things explode back into a more familiar black metal gallop for the second song. It's a long song at 11 minutes but I like how it uses atmosphere as it is more of a mood than a formulaic breakdown that works of sounds.
"The Exile' is more straightforward in its pulsing chug with the scowl of the vocals coming across as more obligatory than what we heard in the previous song. It feels more black metal than some of their previous work. Once we are firmly planted into the stormy sonic frenzy that is "Fallen Blossum' you are hit by a trance of blast beats and black metal snarling that will cause you to zone out unless you are properly rested going into this album. 'the Eve" feels like it is an extension of the previous song as the buzzing of guitars feel like it is being carried over. It's not until midway into this song that things are changed up dynamically, though the vocals are still howled with the same fury.,
The last song continues the throbbing tempest. If you miss the early black metal of the 90s but want to hear it done with a more modern undercurrent then these guys have you. That also means they are not as focused on some of the more unique sonic nuance that has touched their songwriting in the past and are taking less risk in so doing, so there is the compromise. They have an impressive sound, but the songs get a little lost in the storm. I will give this album an 8, as they certainly are not selling out and war is only making them angrier.
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