Behold the fifth full length offering from the Swedish death metallers Puteraeon, unveiled in all its harrowing majesty. Like the drawing back of velvet curtains in a theatre of horror, this release demands a grand entrance, and rightfully so. It is a masterwork of sonic storytelling, gripping from the first note to the final echo. Whilst every track could stand alone for its craft, it's the cohesion that elevates the album to greatness. Each track bleeds seamlessly into the next, weaving a chilling tale inspired by the cosmic horror of H.P. Lovecraft, whose influence permeates every note. Much like his stories, the album is steeped in dread, mystery, and revelation. As described in their bio: "Flawless, intense, and absolutely dark Swedish death metal, inspired by one of the most disturbing sci-fi/horror tales in history." Puteraeon has not only honoured that legacy, they've brought it screaming to life. Lindblod delivers a powerful vocal performance, with Foss providing equally compelling backing vocals. Together, they create a dynamic vocal landscape that shifts constantly. Horror on the Antarctic Plateau is especially haunting, featuring eerie whispered harsh vocals, chilling screams, and culminating in dystopian, maniacal laughter. In The Rise of the Shoggoths, the vocals take on the character of a 1970s television broadcast, as if reporting a surreal catastrophe to the masses. I Am the Darkness is marked by ghostly, rasping vocals, so vivid you can almost see the cold breath forming in the air. Harsh vocals dominate throughout the album, weaving a tapestry of deathly voices. Importantly, the lyrics are mostly quite distinct, allowing the story to unfold clearly and dramatically. Lindblod and Foss on guitars/vocals are joined by Vandija on bass and Anders on battery to complete the lineup; the band draws from the foundational elements of old school death metal while injecting a sense of unpredictability. They craft an atmosphere of horror and fear, fusing eerie, evolving soundscapes with driving rhythms, crushing riffs, and haunting blackened melodies that build relentless intensity and a lingering sense of dread. Mountains of Madness opens with Miskatonic Expedition A slow burning introduction that sets the atmosphere with brooding, pounding riffs. The tension escalates steadily, becoming more dissonant and unsettling with each breath, as if the expedition is drawing closer to some unfathomable presence. Vocals are withheld until the very end, adding to the suspense. The Land of Cold Eternal Evoking the icy desolation of Antarctica, this track conveys an ever-present sense of danger. It weaves melodic death metal elements with rhythmic intensity and a cold, blackened undercurrent. Intermittent melodic passages provide a contrast to the bleak landscape. A haunting and unnervingly beautiful piece.

Remnants Inspired by Lovecraft's vision of the horrifying findings of the expedition, this track shifts between relentless speed and stillness. Background soundscapes create an eerie atmosphere, over which a narrative unfolds. It speaks of discovery of "what we have found" as layers of sound build and recede. Horror on the Antarctic Plateau Spine chilling from the outset, with whispering textures and surreal ambient layers. The tension is palpable, punctuated by screams and a descent into madness. The track culminates in unhinged laughter and delivers a moment of pure, otherworldly horror.

The Nameless City Fueled by speed and battering percussion, dissonant guitars carve out a soundscape of desolation. Pounding riffs and fearsome aggressive  rhythms are interspersed with beautiful melodies . A journey into ruin. Gods of Unhallowed Space Opening with a delicate piano motif, this track evolves into something far more ominous. Dramatic drums crash over an expansive soundscape, with multiple vocal layers of deathly voices. A grand, chaotic invocation of unknowable cosmic entities.

The Rise of the Shoggoths A study in dissonance, reflecting the chaos of the creatures it describes. Inspired by Lovecraft's monstrous creations, once servants, now rising in revolt, the music shifts like the Shoggoths themselves: unpredictable, amorphous, and horrifying. A broadcast like narrative adds a chilling documentary feel. Watchers at the Abyss A slow, deliberate build of tension. The instrumentation rises in waves, each one darker than the last. A looming sense of dread pervades, as if something ancient is awakening just beyond the edge of perception.

I Am the Darkness A terrifying finale. This track becomes fatal, almost sentient. Ghostly, rasping textures move like shadows made audible, you can almost feel the air stir as the voice manifests. A chilling, atmospheric closer that leaves a lasting impression.

From the very first moment, you're drawn into the dark orbit of Mountains of Madness. With imagination awakened, each track unfolds like a chapter in the nightmarish narrative that shares its name with the album. You feel it: the creeping unease, the rising tension, the palpable fear that quickens your pulse.  This is a truly magnificent work that demands full immersion and rewards repeated listens. As each new chapter emerges, you find yourself compelled to turn the page, because, in the end, music is about how it makes you feel....