From Ukraine, hails Black Metal band LABYRINTHUS STELLARUM. Formed in 2021, this is the band’s third release, and it has seven songs. “Voyagers” is first. The opening aggression also has a healthy heaping of melody, and the two work very well together. The structure of the song is very weighted, but the melodies and even clean vocals at times help to lift it above the filth. “Ravenous Planet” is another offering where the guitar melodies lift the song out of the muck and into the heavens, and some of the music reminds me of the beauty of a band like WINTERSUN. The clean vocals wrestle with the harsh ones in what seems like and endless battle of the two.

“Take Us Home” begins with smooth clean vocals, and although the structure underneath is hardened, the vocals take the song into uncharted territory. It’s amazing how much power the music can present along with sweet melodies. The title track begins with electronic tones that transition to a rich, full sound, complete with speedy drumming and melodic riffing. There are also clean vocals that have a haunting quality to them, and this album so far is really unlike any other I have heard. “Lost in the Void” is the longest on the album, at over seven minutes. Spacy keyboards are key here, and it’s the balance that the band presents that is most impressive. They temper the outright aggression with melody so well, and this song is as rich with melody as it is contention.

“Cosmic Plague” leans more towards naked and raw aggression, but there are also melodic intricacies that run through the song like a golden thread. Sometimes the aggression threatens to break through, but the bands shows great restraint. “Liftoff” begins with a brutal structure of powerful drumming, edgy riffing, and deadly vocals, that are once again tempered with these gorgeous melodies. Many of these melodies come from keyboards, but they are also present in the guitar work. “Nirlakh” closes the album, and I get some of the Industrial leanings of SYBREED here. The instrumental is full of mystery, and instead of providing the final answers on the album, it raises more questions.

Overall, this was a fantastic album. The combination of raw aggression with a seasoned, polished approach to melody really made it stand out for me, and it tickled both bones…my need for brutality, and my need for melody.