Netherlands-based Black Metal trio FLUISTERAARS is back with their second full-length album, entitled "Luwte", just under two years after their well-received debut. With just four songs and a total play time of close to three quarters of an hour, this album is certainly does not leave wanting in terms of length, and will take the listener on a journey through a veritable flurry of different soundscapes. Despite relying heavily on repetitive riffs to build up the atmosphere, "Luwte" dances on the verge of being atmospheric without ever quite going over the precipice. Managing to incorporate everything from soaring and uplifting passages to folkier influences, this album has a myriad of different facets that help bring the various textures to the fore, in addition to using effects to tell a story that is captivating. Again, as in their previous album "Dromers", the majority of FLUISTERAARS music is instrumentally driven, with just enough rasped vocals added to keep their music from drifting too far into meditative realms of obscurity.

One thing that is very enjoyable on this album is the sound: the recording quality is crisp and clear, without compromising any of its organic feel or distorted guitars. On the down side, some of the progressions feel a tad bit clumsy, and the drums very occasionally have a hollow feel to them, but these small blemishes are easily overlooked. What I loved is that each instrument is perfectly audible and works in harmony with the others: nothing is lost or overpowering. Moreover, each of these different tracks interweave well, with the end result seeming larger than the sum of its parts. FLUISTERAARS are perhaps not the most innovative or genre-bending band in Black Metal, but so what? "Luwte" amalgamates enough unique approaches to give the album a fresh feel, yet all without straying too far from the orthodox Black Metal path.

The music can get a bit long-winded at times, but then again, this does lend it an air of serenity that's perfect when you just want to kick back after a hectic day. So if you're looking for something that you can surrender yourself to and be dragged under by, then your search just might be at its end. And with the entire album being up on record label Eiswald's Youtube channel, the very least you can do is check out this promising release.