"This Ruin Beneath Snowfall" marks the second EP to be released by OLD GRAVES and is, so far, the best release of their stint as a solo project to date. Mastermind and multi-instrumentalist behind OLD GRAVES Colby H. hails from British Columbia, Canada and has been making music under the name OLD GRAVES since 2013. OLD GRAVES released an EP and a split with PATHS in 2014.

So soon as the EP opens up with its warm, ethereal steel-string acoustic guitar licks on "Kestrel", the atmosphere is molded into something a lot more old-fashioned and organic. You can tell a great atmosphere metal release from a bad one if they can truly open up new worlds with from the very first few seconds of a song. Colby H.'s intimidating guitar skills are what mainly carry each song on "This Ruin Beneath Snowfall".

"Dawn Treader" is a totally inspiring and epic composition that really speaks in volumes to the talent and spirit of its creator. The vocals are raw and tortured, as black metal vocals are wont to do but do not take away from the instrumentation but supports it. I really love the warm and jangly acoustic guitar break that concludes this song. "Dawn Treader" is a magnificent opener for the album.

The blackened music of OLD GRAVES is powerful and melodic. The vocals are buried to the point of being as audible as whispers amongst coming from inside a forest of drums and guitars. But I think what gives OLD GRAVES another great musical edge are its moments where it makes a pause. The music deescalates and then gradually begins to escalate once more like on "This Ruin Beneath Snowfall" and "Dawn Treader".

Fans of AGALLOCH, ODAL and FALLS OF RAUROS will really love this EP. If I could give "This Ruin Beneath Snowfall" a higher rating, I would. Although this release technically has only three full-length tracks on it, you're still getting over twenty minutes of awesome music. Please check this band out and pick this up if you can because I really can't give "This Ruin Beneath Snowfall" a higher recommendation.<