From Bandcamp, “Invoking the Abysmal Night," the fourth full length of AEGRUS is finally here and it's going to be one of the highlights of 2023. The album contains seven infernal tracks of Black Metal supremacy in the name of Satan, Lucifer and Death.” The album has seven songs, and the title track is first. It’s slow, depressive, and has familiar vocal shrieks. For me, it sounds like an ode to the FWOBM, especially once it gets going in pacing. “Followers of the False Prophet” is more of a riff-based song, with a discernable structure. The vocals continue in the same manner, however.

“Through Devil’s Breath” is faster and thicker, but still riff-based, and there is a heavy dissonance in the air among the chaotic sound. “Temple of Ardent Worship” has a harrowing sound, like the underworld is rising up to take on the world above ground. The hole opens, and demons pour through at an alarming rate. “Nocturnal Rites of Faust” has some heavy-hitting accents in the super-fast riff, with the steady gallop of drums. The mid-section features some clean guitars, and even a well-played solo, for a bit of variety. “Those Who Hide from Light” has a more depressive sound, as if the world is ending. The structures are bold, and sturdy.

“Where the Forest Emanates Death” closes the album. It opens with clean guitars and the feeling of death all around. The riff is slow, and desperate sounding, and the whispered vocals bring a different element with them. It’s the perfect ending to an album that featured many traditional Black Metal elements, along with some doom and gloom, and enough variety to keep the listener engaged.