NIGHTWRAITH is a Denver based heavy metal band that was formed in 2016. The concept of the project is to approach songwriting in an organic way without any preconceived notions of genre. This allows them to explore unique musical themes that are not commonly found within the death metal spectrum. Their newest album, titled “Divergence,” is presented here, and it has eight songs. “Fruitless” is first. It opens with heavy synths, followed by an odd but pleasing combination of 80’s riffs with Black Metal vocals. Somehow, the combination works, and works quite well. The result is really unlike anything that I have heard before, and it sports big hooks in the chorus.

“Perpetual Night” has a darker and steadier sound with vocals that vary between gutturals and heavy scratches. The music underneath it is oblivious to the style, and it just roams freely with a catchy sound. “One Flower” has an aggressive combination of a thrashy riff with stern vocals that scold. But just when you think you have the sound down, the chorus comes in a washes melodies over the filth. The keyboards in particular are really one of the keys to the catchy sound, and listen to that guitar solo…it smokes man! “Whispers of Dragonflies” features a healthy dose of keyboards once again, that intermingle with the contentious riff and vocals. It’s almost like water and oil, how you can mix them, but they remain separated, only in this case, they meld together as one. “Invocation” is a short instrumental interlude, and it rides harmonies that are complex but formed together in a way that creates music fusion in the ears. Lovely, indeed.

“Fallen Kings and Queens” enters with a big dose of sugar in the music, and a piece of bitter chocolate from the vocals. Once again, the chorus has rich and melodic tones that will stick with the listener for weeks to come. “Nothing Left to Lose” has another winning combination of filthy, vile vocals and massive hooks in the music, only this time, they are presented with Progressive sensibilities, especially in the tight meter shifts the band handles adeptly. “Divergence” has melancholy tones from smooth synths and clean vocals, and it’s another catchy offering. One end of the song is fierce and aggressive, but moving past the center to the opposite direction, the contrasting melodies are bright. “Us and Them” is a PINK FLOYD ending cover song, and I don’t think I have heard the band sound as NIGHTWRATIH cast them.

One thing that has done better than nearly all of their musical peers was throwing convention out the window and running it over a few times with their truck. This album stands out as one of the most unusual I've ever heard. It masterfully blends the raw intensity of fierce Black Metal with the soothing presence of smooth keyboards and intricate guitar harmonies. The contrast between the harsh vocals and the melodic, atmospheric layers creates a unique listening experience that feels both powerful and unexpectedly harmonious, pushing the boundaries of what music can offer.