Metal maniacs, rejoice! I am proud to present to you: STARER; signed via Fólkvangr Records, hailing from the United States of America - performing Symphonic Black Metal, on their sophomoric full-length album entitled: "The What It Is To Be" (released March 18th, 2022). Since formation in 2020; the soloist in question have a self-titled EP which was released on December 4th, 2020, and 2 full-length studio albums in his discography so far entitled: "18° Below the Horizon" (released January 29th, 2021) and this here second album entitled: "The What It Is To Be" of which I am introduced to. 4 tracks ranging at around 50:26; STARER arranges an intricately designed formula on some heavy-hitting Atmospheric Symphonic Black Metal developments.

Opening up with this pianist segment of synthetic calamity, an enriching but ambient soundscape within "Blackness Of The Bile" unearths this sublime remedy of somewhat melancholic melody. An introduction of monolithic tempo then surges with rollicking mayhem that intrudes eardrums with wildly rushing yet razor-sharp tonality, where rumbling reverberation steamrolls with trailblazing thunder and atmosphere haze. An amplified foundation in a borderline distinction of thudding sturdiness and distortion fabricates a distinguished element in boisterously bouncy flamboyancy; amongst a grinding rev on top of some gnarly, guttural growls that roar with raspy throatiness - while intertwining a vibrantly potent archetype in blistering barrage frenzies of ominously jarring savagery. Scouring snarls soar stridently with volatile stability & solid slabs of concretely gritty gnarliness, creating a dense but dexterously dynamic hybrid in experimental hostility that manifests with this monstrously meaty maelstrom of ruthless pandemonium that swerves with sonically seamless punchiness strikingly well.

Consisting of Josh Hines who performs on everything; an intriguing malformation of rapidly swift nimbleness belts a clobbering amount of blistering hooks, bruising malice & bludgeoning but extreme pursuits of bulldozing guitar shreds that lacerate with killer momentum within "Pain Of The World". Utilising versatile vehemence & rambunctiously piledriving weight, this ethereal crescendo towers with tremolo impulse as it impactfully crafts a chunky flair on tremoring tenor which implodes into a whirlwinding storm of speed-driven havoc. A blackened but archaic flexibility in fundamental yet radically wicked mobility of symphonic structure tramples speakers with rampantly rompy substance & organic yet sulphurous synergy, making me feel like I am playing the old school retro video game - Castlevania. The penultimate track "Fire Of The Son" mounts with more spacious yet other-worldly ramifications of mystifying moods that vibes with this rich vibrato pattern that showcase this salubrious yet enriching finesse of complex but expertly thrilling thrust of frolicking chugs and galloping chunkiness that revolves around an indelible dose of symbolic, but dark symbiosis on climatic but primitively raw Black Metal euphony.

A sinister magnetism forges a mythical boundary in brutal desolation and groovy but slow trembles until more speedy yet operatic songwriting musicianship marvels with orchestral implementations amongst those rifting guitar grips as the overall concluding banger "What Became Of Those Who Were Before" brings forth a 22:31 mammoth of profusely robust adrenaline and aggressive swerves of prodigious, yet traditional technicalities on progressive zeal that would make one stare through their minds with visionary solace, think of mediating with this on... your soul will thank you. While this virtuose grandeur compels one to venerate with stargazing emancipation, a visceral purge of battering but infectiously venomous blitzkrieg continues to thump out stompy retribution & vicious but bombastic barbarity in bestial but abhorrent ensemble of philharmonic mist.

Bottom line; I am compelled to say that STARER most certainly delivered an immensely intense listen, offering this obscure but epic conundrum of spectral but dainty experience in which serves greatly and elegantly towards the shadowy sub-genre we have here. An enjoyably entertaining experience that surely deserves discovering should you fancy a Black Metal piercing. "The What It Is To Be" is definitely an exquisite performance of avant-garde diligence that most fans are to relish in; worthy of spinning & replaying a good handful of times, do check it out.