GLOOSH is a solo melodic black metal band, hailing from the lands of Russia. Formed in 2019, GLOOSH recorded their first full-length album, "Timewheel", over the winter of 2019. The band name threw me off a little, as GLOOSH does not sound like it would be a brutal and beautiful black metal band, but that is exactly what they are. "Timewheel" is chock full of atmospheric and melodic black metal supremacy. This being a solo project, is impressive. The instrumentation offers a brutal and melodic interweaving of sounds.

"Vjkhr" kicks off the album with a blistering attack of fast guitar-riffing and unrelenting drums. This track brings in the more extreme black metal sounds of the album. There is a great deal of melody in the guitars though. What is interesting is there an almost rock and roll sound brought in to accompany the black metal themes. "Timewheel" starts off with a simplistic rock beat, with black metal undertones, before returning with the brutal sound that exists throughout the album. "Samsara" brings in more of the black metal sound, but with a welcomed doom metal/rock undertone, while also bringing in some proggy sounding interludes. This is one of my favorite tracks off the album, as it blends a myriad of sub genres in its sound. Also, the instrumental break in the back half of the track showcases the musical prowess of George Gabrielvan. There is this different level of melody that exists in the black metal of GLOOSH, that allows you to take a moment to be captivated by its sound.

"Clouds" offers up that more melodious break that really brings you into the atmospheric sounds of the album. It is quite beautiful. "Groza" brings in the brutal black metal but institutes some beautiful clean angelic-like backing vocals that just cap off this intensely beautiful track. The prog elements also make a return in this track. There is little to gripe against in the pure musicianship of GLOOSH. The album is solid from start to finish. Overall, "Timewheel", is a fantastic atmospheric journey of beauty and brutality. This is the debut album for GLOOSH, and they are off to a fantastic start. I am excited to see what elements exist in the next album. This is a triumphant black metal debut album.