Finally a new album....good news

Nice cover art

Yeah cover is sweet.

There's nothing spectacular about it but it's still a solid release with quite an impressive atmosphere, it very much reminds me of Austere's latest release. It's the first album I've heard from this band aswel.

Written by MeatWolf on 06.10.2023 at 13:20

This album is a complete quality drop down from the heights of The Circle. Pointless atmospheric musings with close to zero actual content. Maybe 'writing the album as a whole band' is not a good idea if 'the whole band' produces music like this.

I don't feel as negatively about it as you, but it's definitely a disappointment coming after The Circle, just gone too derivative of Alcest et al

Okay this might have been a harsh judgement indeed, but my regret in particular is that two amazing tracks (At Dusk and Wastelands) went as separate release. Could have been a way better album with those on board.

As for the record itself, Twilight of the Machines is beautiful but unfortunately both parts of Nightsphere are not on that level, especially part II. And what's left are 2 instrumentals.

There isn't much going on for a 40+ minute album, but I think its a lot better than I first thought. Its atmosphere works really well (Sanctum follows predominantly two musical ideas/motifs, yet stays engaging), I think the melodies choices are perfect, in the blackened sections and the ambient tracks. The flow is also outstanding.

I too don't think it's anywhere near the level of The Circle, which is imo one of the best post-black albums ever.