MORMANT DE SNAGOV is a metal group formed in 2008. The band started with a raw and cold black metal sound, but their frantic delivery has evolved enormously since then. The new and more comprehensive way of composing mature, high-class metal could already be heard on their third album but on their new record, the transformation is definite and complete.

“Absurdity Ingrained” is first. The sound eases in slowly until a full, rich Black Metal sound plows through. It quickly changes pace, to a fast moving sound with vocal screams, gutturals and thick guitars and drums. “Perennial Bliss” is the longest song on the album. It sneaks in with lead guitar and thick bass notes, before that bomb of sound is released. A weighted dissonance comes in from there, with hopeless tones in the music, and anger in the vocals. “Upon their Feeble Existence” features melodic keyboards in the entrance, and this is a surprise, but it doesn’t last but a few bars. Here, the band shows more of their diverse style, crossing several genres of Metal together.

The title track has a more expansive sound, with symphonic elements and a massively heavy set of riffs and vocals. It is a magnanimous sound, with weighted riff accents and angry vocals, and a slow, grinding pace that develops. “The Cloak of Doctrine” has a smoother sound at first, from meaty bass notes, and again, the band shows their versatility with piano notes and other backing symphonics. The piano gives the song a depressive edge which I enjoy. “Heretic Inception” is a short, three-minute blast of excessively heavy and ominous riffs, and the band continues to show their power. The riff chugs along with a groove, and the vocals meet them in tow. “Valediction for the Nameless” closes the album. It has a slow and depressive entrance before the mighty command breaks in. The band shows restraint here however, giving the sound time to develop.

Overall, this isn’t your ordinary Black, Death, or even MeloDeath band. They combine all of these elements and even a bit of Doom at time to tell the tale of both depression and anger. The balance that they reach between these two extremes is solid, as are the other elements they work into their sound. Keep your eye on this band from Finland.