Germany’s doom-tinged Black Metal project THE RUINS OF BEVERAST recently returned with their sixth full length opus. Below is my belated (and somewhat shortened for that reason) review of this masterpiece. Out now via Van Records.
Opening with swathes of atmospherics that instantaneously infect the whole body as convulsions of resplendent musicianship immediately open a chasm of ritualistic and daunting soundscapes, this is easily recognisable as a special record. Reverberate guitars drone as if called from the abyss amidst the booming drum fills and hugely varied vocals that has made TROB such an important band in modern Black Metal that have legions of followers due to the esoteric approach to concocting music. Each song is a drawn out piece of slowly developed brilliance, showcasing diversity and masterful composition skills to paint a far grander picture of ancient doomy Black Metal that conveys an archaic wisdom. With a psychoactive element to the tribal Extreme Metal that is more akin to psilocybin than a typical Black Metal recording, yet with all of the atmosphere and scathing sounds one could hope for, this is definitely something to experience for oneself.
An ambient, ever-evolving and rebellious record that finds little common ground with its contemporaries, carving a path of its own in the grander design of TROB. A cavernous production lends itself fittingly to the dissonant, punishing and weighty instrumentals with the bombardments of tastefully executed vocals. This sound is a powerhouse that may be utterly drenched in atmosphere and gorgeous songwriting but does not allow this to detract from the sheer heaviness delivered. One can detect the overall density of the music and its rhythmically-charged vibrancy that is pulverising yet strangely tranquil. The feeling of safety while the imminent threat of danger is present seems to linger through the whole record. This is a monolith of ancient, mystical and untamed Black/Doom Metal that is beyond comparison or even description, just a warped, contorting and volatile experience to behold like no other.
I hope this short review convinces some of you to indulge in this superb album for yourselves as it is far more deserving of your attention than the length of this write-up alludes to. Fie on me for my lateness and heed this call to not fall into the same fate. Truly a modern masterpiece of epic proportions. I urge all whom read this to go and indulge in this sublime yet unwieldy opus of unfathomable excellence.
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