"Adorn" is more than just a musical endeavour; it is an act of devotion - to the transcendence of art once liberated from the sterile confines of modernity, to the melancholy of deserted halls, and to the fading glimmer of courtly love. By fusing romanticism with atmospheric blackened metal into compositions that veer between solemnity and splendour, the trio creates sonic worlds that shimmer with longing and luminosity. "Adorn" is a gift for those who dream in sepia and find the modern world too pale for their desires. A cry into the night. A garland laid upon the altar of lost time. Romantic music for dreamers.

The album has six songs, and "Secret of the Heart" is first. The opening clean guitar tones are quite sweet, and even when the tortured vocals come in, melody stays at the forefront. It's just a little sad, in a sentimental kind of way. "When Time Stood Still" has another positive, upbeat sound. The combination of harsh vocals that are somewhat hidden in the background and the melody of the music is the key to the sound on the album. The two seemingly competitive sounds just work well with one another. There are strings, and piano here as well, and they just add to the beauty. "Tudor Garden" begins with the sound of the outdoors…birds chirping as they announce the dawn. I get the feeling of the first warm spring day with this song, and let the sun shine on your face. Again, the distorted riff is firm, but does not detract from the melodies.

"Porcelain" is shorter and keys on the emotions of the album. It seems introspective, almost as if it isn't ready to bear its soul. This creates a magical sort of mystery on the album that will keep the listener coming back for more. "Your Majesty" spreads the joy around well, and if you don't have a smile on your face, you might want to check your pulse. Sometimes gentle, and other times firmer, this is really quite a charming sound. "Midsummer" is the final offering, and beautiful strings lead the charge. The music is bursting with emotion here, and the title of the song is exactly where I picture myself when listening. The riffs are hardened again, as well as the vocals, but they can't blot out the wondrous melodies.

This album is a shining example of the expansiveness of the Black Metal genre in the past decade. If bright melodies work in other genres, why not here? They seem incompatible, but when the two combine, it's a synergy that results. Hardened and torturous enough for purists, but also warm and inviting, it's essentially the best of both worlds.