DARK FORTRESS have always been one of the more interesting Black Metal bands.  This German band likes to introduce new elements to their sound but they always have consistent song writing. I got into them around the "Seance" era but kind of lost track of them until recently.   "Spectres From The Old World," is their latest, and eighth, full length album; it is also their first since 2014's more experimental "Venereal Dawn."  In my re-discovery of DARK FORTRESS, I grew to find that album quite enjoyable.  So what route do these forward thinking Black Metal ragers take on this new opus?

Overall, I would say "Spectres From The Old World," is a lot more aggressive than their previous album.  That isn't to say they have regressed to a more standard Black Metal experience.  In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. The songs are more riff based but don't focus on tremolo picking.  Likewise, the drums are a strong focus this time around but they aren't fast for the sake of it nor is it non-stop blastbeats.  Despite a renewed focus on aggression, the songs are still well thought out and methodical.

One of the more impressive aspects of the album is the flow. DARK FORTRESS are no strangers to long albums-perhaps too long.  With twelve songs at just under an hour of length, this one is a tad shorter than most of their releases.  Twelve is still quite a collection of songs but it doesn't seem like it once the album gets going.  With two tracks reserved for an intro and interlude, there is really only ten full length songs here and that is about the sweet spot for this style. That intro, "Nascence," wastes no time in presenting the heavier atmosphere upon a barrage of drums and cold, Blackened riffs.  It flows nicely into the next track, winding down just as "Coalescence" speeds up.  The light usage of keys gently highlights the killer guitar solo and the furious audio assault that it lays in between.   "Coalescence," grabs your attention immediately and is even, I daresay, a bit catchy.

While your attention is on putting your melted face back together, the band throws in something of a curve ball with "The Spider In The Web," one of the album's best tracks.  The temp is slowed down a bit in the beginning to let the keys wrap the song up in a Gothic atmosphere.  The clean, ambient part about 1:40 into the song is a sudden but smart change of pace, letting the band extend their darkness out with a different vibe that still meshes well with the rest of the song.

The album's title track, "Spectres From The Old World," encompasses much of what the band wanted to achieve with this album.  Riffs and a great vocal presence take the reins for much of the song but clean guitar and ambient keys dominate the latter half, showcasing the worlds that DARK FORTRESS expertly live in."Isa," builds up nicely, allowing the riffs and drums grow to the boiling point where the vocals come with both Blackened screams and extremely well done cleans.  The dual vocal approach lends the song a mysterious and secluded feel but the last half the track keeps things grounded through some badass riffs and a virtuous guitar solo. The ending riffs pummel the senses and end the track on a strong finish.

"Pulling At Threads," showcases the band still has a desire for straight up Black Metal fury.  Easily the heaviest and fastest song on the album, the caustic and dangerous nature of the song is right up the alley for those who prefer their Black Metal just unrelenting.  However, for the rest of us, who like things outside the box, the clean vocals compliment just that.  This is one of those tracks that I think fans of any of the band's era will enjoy.  The mid-section is just intense and brutal as anything I've heard this year but still presented in a style that most Black Metal bands would avoid.

The final track, "Nox Irae," is another shorter track but the complete opposite of "Pulling At Threads."  This particular song is much slower and definitely more Doom influenced.  Deep riffs push the song forward while the clean vocals bridge the song's heavier moments to the dark melodies that fade the song to its end.  With "Spectres From The Old World," DARK FORTRESS once again prove they can do anything they set their mind on.  They also continue to push their sound beyond the genre's boundaries while never forgetting their past.  If you're a fan of the band, and especially if you felt the previous album was a bit too much, I can't think of a reason why this album shouldn't be added to your collection.