The title track is bloody brilliant.

That violin! So mournful and full of longing, and the melodies are absolutely stunning. Feels like a black metal band crashing a chamber music concert and both sides ending up completely loving the experience and working in perfect synergy.
Some parts scream baroque, others, especially the ending, have a more of a modern neofolk vibe to them. So good!
Seriously can't recommend this enough. Especially if you fancy a crossover between Ne Obliviscaris and Wolves In The Throne Room (although Exulansis are pretty unique and this is just a rough approximation)

This is a fantastic piece of work, although I found their debut to be more resonant with me compared to this. The debut album really spoke to me on a deeper level.

Written by Bjamm on 20.11.2023 at 23:33

This is a fantastic piece of work, although I found their debut to be more resonant with me compared to this. The debut album really spoke to me on a deeper level.

Same. Sequestered Sympathy was my favorite album of 2019 by quite a margin because it offered the best of both worlds - furious black metal, fast neo-crust, crushing doom AND deeply moving acoustic folk. The only point of critique I ever heard was that it had too much of everything - but that's exactly why I liked it so much. It was a perfect blend of my most favorite genres, beautifully put together by very talented musicians and tightly intertwined by their excellent songwriting skills.
Unfortunately, the band took this criticism to heart. Now we have two completely different albums that are only loosely connected by the still great violin. Sure, each album is now more accessible to the respective target group, but the uniqueness of the debut has vanished into thin air in the very moment the ingredients have been seperated from each other.

But I'm not complaining, I'm just noting the absence of the sheer brilliance that the debut had to offer. Taken individually, the two new albums are really good, there's no question about that.

Yes, exactly! Couldn't agree more! This album is trying really hard to weigh things balanced in the fusion. But tracks like Barren or A Helpless Witness To Such Pain, which were like soothing little treats among aggressive tracks, are sure as hell missed here as independent tracks.

I also quite admire the sound production. The balance between the blast drum beats and the subtlety of the violin is especially impressive, which easily could have disappointed me with other bands. Achieving that level of harmony where each component complements the others without overpowering or becoming overwhelming is no small feat.

Reminds me of the 2021 release by FELLED called The Intimate Earth. That album uses a lot of violin and fiddle.

This album in particular, has a solid middle, with the title track and "A Movement in Silence" being very strong.

Have I been actively looking for black metals answer to Ne Obliviscaris? Well, no. But am I glad I've found it? You bet your sweet buns I am!!!