Metal Temple logo white

Passage of the Arcane

Withering Soul

One doesn’t always think about musicianship in this genre, but WITHERING SOUL openly defies that sentiment. The album is meticulously crafted, and confidently performed, with a real balance between straight aggression, and intelligent songwriting.
October 4, 2025

WITHERING SOUL from Chicago are stalwart dispensers of stellar blackened melodeath and their 5th album "Passage of the Arcane" demonstrates a convergence of blackened atmospheres and sweeping song structures that elevate their sound to new levels. A mystifying journey that exceeds boundaries while retaining a bouncy adventurous attitude. Following the perspectives of those who might to traverse a cursed oblivion, each song explores its own story, ranging from unexplained disappearances to the supernatural. While variation is abundant within the soundscapes the album manages to cultivate a consistent tone. Each chapter takes on its own "passage" through channels of cursed lore and harrowing experiences of the past.

The album has eight tracks, and "Intro" is first; a short instrumental mood setter, segueing to "Attrition Horizon." It storms out of the gate with an aggressive sound, a thick bed guitars and drums, and filthy Black Metal vocals. There are some pacing and even key variations in the song, which keeps the listener engaged. "Grievance Eludes the Light" is another aggressive sound, but not without a bit of melody, especially in the lead breaks. The band stops, starts, and pivots through meter shifts like veteran professionals, and you really get a sense for their strong musicianship here. "The Monolith Embodied" is a little slower, but no less intense. Keyboards add a layer of mystique to the song, and meaty bass notes accompany the heavy bottom end.

"Gallery to the End" has an absolutely harrowing sound, fueled by the backing keyboards, which support the sound by adding a layer of evil. Some of the riffs are even done in the thrash style at times. "Trajectory" has another deeply frightening sound. There is also a nifty little clean interlude that helps to break up some of the madness, and more keys are used smartly to help round out the sound. "Among Covetous Eyes" features more thick, meaty bass notes and another deeply contentious sound. There are also some somber elements, and they go hand in hand with the rage. "Burden of the Valiant" closes the album, and it's another harrowing ride from start to finish.

One doesn't always think about musicianship in this genre, but WITHERING SOUL openly defies that sentiment. The album is meticulously crafted, and confidently performed, with a real balance between straight aggression, and intelligent songwriting.

When clicked, this video is loaded from YouTube servers. See our privacy policy for details.
"Passage of the Arcane" Track-listing:

1. Intro

2. Attrition Horizon

3. Grievance Eludes the Light

4. The Monolith Embodied

5. Gallery of the End

6. Trajectory

7. Among Covetous Eyes

8. Burden of the Valiant

 

Withering Soul Lineup:

Christopher – Vocals, Guitar, Synths

Rick – Drums

Joel – Bass

 

linkcrossmenucross-circle