When a band have been on the circuit for 21 years, with an impressive back catalogue of 14 releases, you can almost be certain that they are doing something right. FORGOTTEN TOMB encapsulates this description. With their tenth studio release "Nihilistic Estrangement" the band have delivered more of their macabre offerings unto their fans. The artwork, painted by Paolo Girardi, it masterful. A simplistic design that has been delivered with such eloquence and finesse, Paolo you should be very proud of your work as it is one of the finest pieces of artwork I have seen.

The album opens with "Active Shooter" heavy open-ended chords creating an atmosphere of dread. The track marches forward throughout, with Kyoo providing the driving pounding beat at his drum set. The central breakdown is just a mesmerizing section of the track where one can feel everything melt away and they become weightless in the music. The subtle differences between heavier denser sections the lighter elements are paramount in making this opening track such a success. With a slower and increased melancholy air about it we flow into "Iris' House Pt I". It is a beautiful track that is both heavy and soft, with an overarching feeling of despair as though the narrative of the track is an individual crying out against the music of their mind.

FORGOTTEN TOMB demonstrate a strong understanding of the genre and in fact of their own musical knowledge with the seamless flow of the tracks structure throughout and as we transfer into "Iris' House Pt II" as the themes and feelings created in the first part are built on and developed further. Clear and clean sections accent the despair and anguish of the main sections as you are ruthlessly ripped from clarity and plunged once more down the rabbit hole. "Distrust" sees a return to the walking structure seen earlier in the record. With all elements of the music coming together to create this driving force that moves the track forwards effortlessly. Something which really flew out at me for this song though is the layering of the guitars and the overtone that Ferdinando uses ever so subtly behind the heavy distorted chords that comes through like rays of light in a thunderstorm, this is once again an example of the knowledge that FORGOTTEN TOMB have about the music that they are creating.

With the album's titular track "Nihilistic Estrangement" we are witnessed to something that is so calming and peaceful whilst also being full of pain and despair. The effect of clean guitars, set with quite a lot of reverb, floating over the heavy distortion of the rest of the instrumental elements almost creates a musical haze that is just utterly beautiful and relaxing. Finally, we come to "RBMK" and the pace increases for a final foray into the listeners ears. Relentless energy combined with the aggression and intensity of the music creates something special that I a finding quite hard to describe, but I would be interested to know what you as a listener would think? Overall, FORGOTTEN TOMB have demonstrated with "Nihilistic Estrangement" just why they have had such success over their musical career. They have created something that is instantly recognisable to their individual sound and I would challenge a fan of Heavy Metal to find a bad word to say. I couldn't decide on a pick of the album track as for me every single track has its own merits that would warrant it to be picked. So, get yourself listening to this and experience the finesse and grace that is FORGOTTEN TOMB.