LURING is a band from Pennsylvania, USA, that has released music since 2018, having 2 demos and one previous album available on their bandcamp site too. Almost no information about band members or social media at all. Just three entities that perform a great black metal style, almost forgotten in the latter decades, but kept as a jewel just for some great followers. Their previous work was released by Nithstang Productions, a label from Ohio, Usa, that has released in this new decade around 50 great black metal releases of good underground bands. Their new album is as great as their previous album, but more polished both in sound as in composition, more majestic and ethereal. This band compiles in a very good way symphonic and atmospheric sounds like EMPEROR in his first era as well as raw and melodic black metal from the 90s with eerie, dark and mystic sounds.

Beyond the simple meaning of the band's name, its deeper meaning refers to actions of persuasion or corruption towards a person, or applying tactics to deceive someone. The album cover shows the horseman named "Death" with heads dangling on his scythes, as if coming from a recent hunt. Not only one of these is shown, as in the background there are several more of these specimens as well as dragon-winged or gargoyle-like creatures flying in the sky and lurking. There are also people crucified at the top of a construction that resembles a church with one of these horsemen leaving through the doors of it. In the surroundings, remains of bones and skulls can be seen, with which this whole scene describes both a physical and spiritual destruction of a horde of beings from another spiritual dimension.

The band focuses primarily on the symphonic atmospheric black metal sound that had its origins in the early 1990s black metal bands but that also chose to go their own way. This album lasts around 40 minutes and has 10 tracks, made up of eight songs, an intro and an outro. Lyrics and song titles surround themes such as spirituality, existence, destruction, blasphemy and lower passions. "Crucifixion of the Swine" shows a mystic and cradle choral intro that resembles what kind of symphonic atmosphere they will give you. "Where Forgotten Spirits Dwell" is a great reminder of the the great 90s symphonic and raw bands did in the past, fans of old and first EMPEROR will feel identified with it.

"Strewn Carcass of Christ" is a mid paced song a la ANCIENT in their first albums, landmark atmospheric Black Metal riffing from the 10s, slow atmospheric song with a spatial vibe. "The Axe of Vengeance" is a fast song with blast beats a la LIMBONIC ART, and keys added in the same beautiful vein, both spatial, melodic and mystic. Also it has mid paced atmospheric sections with eerie riffings. "Beyond the Bounds of Human Life" is a synth ambient track with a mystic and medieval touch a la EVOL. "Death is the Master I Obey" is a mid tempo doomy song with a syncopatic and intimidating guitar tune. "Burning Flames of Hatred" has reminiscences of the first atmospheric wave of Black Metal, which belongs to the sounds of bands like BURZUM while going from raw black to some atmospheric vibes.

"Feverish Dreams of Death" is again a beautiful, medieval and mystical synth ambient track. The track developed resembles more of some ambient and even depressive black metal bands, in which the captivating atmosphere is done by just guitars. "Black Heart of Stone" is a slow atmospheric ambient track with howling synths and horror riffs. "His Holy Resplendence Extinguishe" is an outro like a march or tune that foretells the end of a mystical trip. This album is a sample of all the talent that they have and in which they have reached the peak of their musical quality, but not their final ceiling since surely they will surprise us with an album as great as this one in the near future. It will be a delight for all black metal lovers, because this genre in its roots didn't only have the pure and original sound, but also the 90s developed some great symphonic and melodic raw bands which style nowadays is great to still hear.