Deep in the underground lies a civilization born of utter darkness. With no choice but to put their faith in the tales of old, generations have succumbed to the futile search for the fabled flame that is said to mark the way out. Until now. From the depths of Dunedin, New Zealand, MIASMATA emerges once more with "Subterrania"—a concept album steeped in myth and existential dread, where blistering fury collides with sweeping melodic melancholy. With multi-instrumentalist Mike Wilson sharpening his blade and delving deeper than ever before, "Subterrania" is a harrowing and triumphant odyssey through sound and sorrow.

The album has six songs, and "Those Who Cross the Flame" is first. It comes straight at you, with a thrashy riff, aggression, and thick Black Metal guitars that, at times, also tow some melody. The lead breaks are excellent as well. "Die at the Right Time" is darker, and even more aggressive, fueled by a fast-moving riff, and deadly vocals. I am not a genre purist, but I could call this a solid mix of Black Metal, Thrash Metal, and even some Melodeath. "Full of the Devil" is a little slower, and those somber elements come through with the aggression. The guitar work is excellent once again, showcasing Mike's prowess on the axe. "Interloper" has a sturdy, harrowing riff, and some ambient, melodic moments as well. The Black Metal/Thrash riffs are still contentious however. He also mixes in some keyboards, and I say add more, keys are always a welcome addition to any album.

"Upon Oppressive Peaks" has a fast, thick, and aggressive riff, together with some guitar harmonies at times. He builds the harmonies in addition to maintaining a high level of aggression. The lengthy title track closes the album; a thirteen-and-a-half minute opus. Gentle tones lead off the opening, followed by a thick, full riff, with plenty of darkness interwoven into the song. He has a vision for how he wants the song to flow, and he follows it with confidence and ambition. I need to remind the listeners that this band is only one person, so right off, you have to give him props for that. That said, I found the music to be fairly solid. His command of several genres is noteworthy, although some of the songs bleed together a bit. Any fan of Extreme music should appreciate this album.