Band:	Hail Spirit Noir
Album:	Fossil Gardens
Style:	Blackened progressive metal, Psychedelic rock
Release date:	June 28, 2024
Guest review by:	ForestsAlive

01. Starfront Promenade
02. The Temple Of Curved Space
03. Curse You, Entropia
04. The Blue Dot
05. The Road To Awe
06. Ludwig In Orbit
07. Fossil Gardens

2024 is shaping up to be an amazing year for atmospheric black metal. Wormwood, Labyrinthus Stellarum, and now Hail Spirit Noir with Fossil Gardens are all tapping into grand emotions of awe, wonder, and transcendence—a refreshing take on black metal’s usual bleakness and misanthropy.

If you’re ever pessimistic about metal's future, you’re not alone. Each week, I explore each and every one of the new releases on this site. Occasionally, I discover hidden gems, but 95% of the bands I hear are confined to genre expectations. Not every artist needs to innovate, but those who do deserve our utmost attention. Hail Spirit Noir belongs to the pioneers, not by completely reinventing the wheel but by combining genres with a clear, ambitious vision that is absolutely refreshing.

So who are these guys? As a Greek, I knew the band by name but never gave them a chance. Most members are involved with Transcending Bizarre?, another seriously overlooked and talented Greek band. It’s no surprise that Hail Spirit Noir sound mature, experienced, and focused; this is their sixth release, after all.

Hail Spirit Noir plays a form of psychedelic, atmospheric black metal, but this definition serves archival purposes only. Their songwriting approach is “à la carte”: they understand the language of black metal, progressive rock, gothic, and classical music, applying motifs/devices according to the intended emotion. For instance, blast beats increase emotional intensity rather than serve as a genre prerequisite. Clean vocals and acoustic passages are used only when the composition requires them to tell a specific story. The band has a clear and unique sonic vision that can only be satisfied by a multitude of genres. Fortunately, Hail Spirit Noir are masters of their craft, and it all sounds cohesive and flows effortlessly.

I intentionally used the word "compositions" instead of "songs" to describe this album’s content. It’s evident that the band has classical training, as the album feels like it was first written for classical piano or an orchestra and then transcribed for a rock ensemble. Don’t let your mind draw comparisons to Dimmu Borgir; it’s all about harmony, sophisticated chord progressions, and how the melodies intertwine, showcasing a deep understanding of music theory. Thankfully, Hail Spirit Noir’s music, while sophisticated, is very approachable and never tries to be overly “out there” or “artsy.”

There are many standout moments on Fossil Gardens. “Curse You, Entropia”, “Starfront Promenade”, and “The Blue Dot” are beautifully crafted tracks with wonderful melodies, vocals, and orchestration. However, it is “The Road To Awe” that best encapsulates the identity and brilliance of this album. During its 10-minute length, it takes you on a cathartic journey of wonder and transcendence, as if the band (and you, the listener) are conversing with the stars and the gods about the futility of existence. The entire album, from the music and lyrics to the cover art (which visually represents the music perfectly), is thematically consistent, creating a complete experience.

There is a rare breed of albums that can invoke strong emotional responses, painting pictures with just music and taking the listener on an outward journey, and Fossil Gardens is one of those albums. It might be one of the best albums of the year and one of the best to emerge from Greece.

With bands like Hail Spirit Noir, metal has nothing to fear.

Hail Spirit Noir, I congratulate you and thank you for this record.