ALBUM REVIEW: Sargeist – Unbound

Here I review the heavily anticipated new Sargeist album! Out now on World Terror Committee Records! Let’s delve into some truly intense Black Metal and see what Sargeist have to offer this time around, I am sure it will be an excellent journey!

1. Psychosis Incarnate goes right into things with intensely atmospheric riffs, sombre melody and huge soundscapes created by walls of guitars, drums, bass and epic vocals. The beautiful vibes Sargeist have always had are immediately present and recognisable, this is a project has truly created its own uniquely recognisable sound. The Black Metal assaults have a nice groove to things with raw but still very tight production that allows the whole piece to really soar with elegance, not losing any impact at all throughout. The lower growls add a nice diversity to the texture of the vocals and mix things up brilliantly with some awesome folky paced riffs backing the incredibly strong performance. The drums are absolutely insane too! An excellent opening song, as I predicted, setting the standards for the album very high.
2. To Wander the Night’s Eternal Path brings us further into darkness with more waves of eccentrically gorgeous assaults, once more creating a monolithic soundscape that just rips through to the core. There is both a menacing aggression and also a modest melancholy to Sargeist’s music that I have loved since first hearing them, this is no exception. There is a heartfelt warmth to this track in particular that I find really hits all the right spots both musically and emotionally. The songwriting is absolutely splendid and the execution even more so, featuring some fantastic musicianship. This is some of the most pristinely stunning Black Metal that still manages to keep the rawer and more primal edge the genre is known for. Outstanding!
3. The Bosom of Wisdom and Madness cascades into fruition with rich and exciting maniacal riffs that have such perfect tone both on the guitar and bass. The intensely stellar drums completing the instrumental section beautifully before the vocals soon join us, howling along with a glorious ferocity. This album seems, at least to this point, even more emotive than their usual music which is certainly saying something, I have to say I’m loving this. The more experimental nature of the album sticks true to the Sargeist formula but more melodic sections seem to push the boat out further for the band and add this huge depressive element that works phenomenally well with the song. The more clean vocals add a really epic touch to the song too. We are of course still given plenty of soulfully devastating and eclectic Black Metal brilliance that is played brilliantly, this is yet another stellar track!
4. Death’s Empath has a really groovy and upbeat pace that just kicks right into things, although with plentiful melody and punch to it that is just great! The huge soaring riffs and blast beats then tear into something absolutely incredible. Vocally this song is some of the most decimating and intense music on the album to this point with such a forcefulness to every single section that is elevated but stunning melodies. The song is also remarkably catchy too! The hammering and more traditional Black Metal vibe of the song is beautifully done and well captured. Great stuff!
5. Hunting Eyes begins with slower, bleak guitar riffs and a marching despair to the music, this is some of the most emotional material I have heard from the band, bordering on DSBM territory in parts. My immediate thought is that this perfect music to walk through the forest with after a really bad day. Regardless of the much more depressive feel of the song it still does not lose any of the albums momentum or attack, it just adds a rich diversity that accentuates the whole release into greater places. It’s awesome to see the band still mixing things up too! Some of the catchiest riffs of the release are also present giving it a very epic melody. The song picks up really nicely and to me is a modern classic for Black Metal that I think will definitely stand the test of time.
6. Her Mouth is an Open Grave is immediately recognisable as a resemblance of the earlier Sargeist material, giving the long-time fans something they will certainly enjoy. The gruesome vocals over morbid riffs that just slay and killer drums just decimate entirely. The totally grisly attack of the song is as wonderful as it is intense to behold. There is an unrelenting menace that just ferociously assaults the listener beautifully. Hammering cymbal hits and waves of cascading melancholic guitars with fierce screams feel hauntingly epic and true to the sound Sargeist have established over the lengthy career of the project. The bittersweet slower sections are catchy but also incredibly tasteful with some super nasty, epic riffs. Some totally perfect Black Metal!
7. Unbound takes an unexpected turn with some pretty joyful and folky vibes, played beautifully, really elevating the mood of the album and creating a perfect break from the intensity, allowing tension to build. The song drops into faster paced assaults once more but the more cheerful feeling of the intro remains present creating something that has a gorgeous originality to it, I really like how the album has included something like this that totally caught me off guard but due to its excellence rather than something negative. Some amazing musicianship and diverse skill sets are showcased really nicely on this song. Wonderfully done, this song is completely beautiful but filled with intensity too!
8. Blessing of the Fire-Bearer follows up with piercing riffs, blast beats and furthered intensity, contrasting the previous song excellently. The melodic riffs cascade, creating a momentous and exciting atmosphere that is both gorgeous yet dark too. There is a bleak dissonance that is absolutely perfect for the music, creating something stunning, spectacular and volatile. Some of the most introspective Sargeist music I have heard and songs like this really showcase that beautifully. Some stunning Black Metal art, really mastering the obscene craft of this music. Absolutely phenomenal, once again, this is such an impressive release that really takes the creativity of Extreme Metal to new heights.
9. Wake of the Compassionate offers us burning and bleak guitar soundscapes met with progressive sections that are punctuated brilliantly by the insane drum performance. The bleaker nature of the song allows the eccentricities to really flow beautifully, speaking of which, everything on this album has been so meticulously put together with everything finely flowing from section to section and song to song as a true work of art. This track is no different, really taking the colder Finnish sound into a brilliant spectrum of bleak Metal that drags at you in such a captivating manner. This song is really hypnotic to listen to for sure. Excellent!
10. Grail of the Pilgrim is the final segment of this masterpiece, tearing right into blistering extremity with a final bout of furiously grinding Black Metal storming forth. The both sombre but also pretty upbeat feel of this final song has a truly classic Sargeist vibe to it that I immediately fell in love with. The rich tones, soaring riffs, intense drums and grisly vocals all stitched together beautifully, giving us one absolutely bombastic and totally brilliant final piece of music. A fantastic ending to a glorious release!

Sargeist is back, with full ferocity and a newly replenished arsenal of intense music that is sure to invoke a dark lust from the Heavy Metal community. The songwriting, musicianship and performance is all excellent and there is even more emotion in this than previous releases, which for me makes it one of the best Sargeist albums to date! A must listen for the fans of Black Metal! -9/10