FUMES' "Skeletal Wings Threshold" offers a potent blend of death and black metal, striking a compelling balance between the two genres. This album brings the best of both worlds, delivering the raw aggression and crushing heaviness of death metal while incorporating the eerie atmosphere and haunting melodies characteristic of black metal. From the start, it's clear that FUMES knows how to mix ferocity with atmosphere. The track "Flesh and Ashes" kicks things off with pounding rhythms and guttural vocals, setting the tone for the album's intense journey. Throughout the record, the band masterfully shifts between rapid, blast-beat-driven sections and slower, more brooding passages, showcasing their versatility. Songs like "Wings of Decay" and "Into the Abyss" are perfect examples of this, each seamlessly transitioning between the two extremes with impressive precision.

Production-wise, "Skeletal Wings Threshold" delivers a clean yet raw sound. The guitars are sharp, delivering the heavy chugs of death metal with clarity, while the black metal influences come through in the atmospheric tremolo picking and haunting melodies. The drums provide a relentless backbone, maintaining intensity throughout, while the vocals switch between deep growls and harsh shrieks, perfectly fitting the tone of the music. While the album is an overall solid effort, it does occasionally feel somewhat predictable. The structure of some tracks follows a familiar pattern, with the same aggressive riffs and blast beats appearing throughout. However, FUMES still manages to keep the listener engaged with their ability to craft memorable moments, such as in "Skeletal Wings" and "Threshold of Ruin3.

In conclusion, "Skeletal Wings Threshold" is a strong example of a band that successfully blends death and black metal, offering a high-energy experience with solid production. FUMES has crafted a record that will appeal to fans of both genres, even if it leans a little on the safe side at times.