“XASTHUR”, the enigmatic one-man project from Alhambra, California, returns with his new album "Disharmonic Variations", a collection of depressive Black Metal that, true to its title, navigates between the disharmonic and the enchantingly hypnotic. Throughout this instrumental work, the essence of Black Metal is interwoven with a singular melodic richness, creating an immersive atmosphere that, despite its dissonance, proves remarkably enjoyable to experience.

The album opens with "The Beginning of a New End", an acoustic introduction that unfolds unsettling and dissonant chords, hinting at the dark sonic journey to come. The piece serves its purpose, drawing the listener into a state of anticipation, though its straightforward structure might have benefitted from a more pronounced melodic evolution. Nonetheless, it is in this simplicity that the foundation for what follows is laid.

"Mirrors Made of Misery", perhaps the track closest to traditional Black Metal, stands out for its impeccable use of keyboards, creating a dreamlike and ethereal atmosphere over a sea of blast beats and distortion. While the keyboards dominate with elegance, the production tends to lose detail in the percussion, diluting the impact that this rhythmic section could have added to the overall intensity of the track. Despite this, the piece excels in its ability to immerse the listener in the characteristic sonic haze of the genre.

With "Haunted by the Living", “XASTHUR” delivers a chaotic and disconcerting piece, where dissonances seem to defy any attempt at harmony. This is undoubtedly a track that demands patience and an open mind to be appreciated in all its complexity. The discomfort generated by its chords is a deliberate tool, though some listeners may find it less accessible due to its confrontational nature.

"Selling Yourself to Die", by contrast, offers a respite from the chaos with a melody of Baroque inspiration, whose minimalist atmosphere invites a more introspective meditation. The acoustic interludes bring a freshness that contrasts with the album's dark tone, although as the piece progresses, there is a sense of repetition that could have been broken by some unexpected compositional twist.

The album's pinnacle arrives with "Psychedelic Darkness in Reality", a track that recalls the more experimental days of bands like Arcturus. Here, “XASTHUR” strikes a fine balance between psychedelia and darkness, using sonic textures that seem to distort time and space, enveloping the listener in a mist of uncertainty and fascination.

"Disharmonic Variations" is, in essence, an album to be contemplated rather than superficially enjoyed. The repetition and apparent monotony of its passages are not flaws but gateways to a deeper listening experience. However, the production, at certain moments, seems to detract from some details that could have been enhanced to achieve total immersion. Despite this, “XASTHUR’s ability to create unsettling and enveloping atmospheres is undeniable, once again cementing his position as one of the most distinctive voices within depressive Black Metal.