So, as I am trawling through the Encyclopaedia Metallum to dig up a little research on todays specimen for review, I have noticed yet another Sub Genre to the world of Heavy Metal. Post Black Metal... Can anyone shed some light on it for me? Well, if anyone can, then is SOMBRE a UK act in the genre who have just released a four track EP independently. Without further ado, lets get stuck in.

The artwork for the EP is, well a sombre affair... See what I did there? Yeah, I'm disappointed too. The monochromatic image showing a long angelic statue in what I can only assume is some sort of graveyard or something. Opening the EP is "From Womb To An Unsightly Shallow Grave"; the chilling introduction really brings it to life. Energetic and intense it just oozes an atmosphere of despair and pain. The piercing vocals really are the crowning glory to fully drive the music home. But the instrumentals, MY GOD THE INSTRUMENTALS! We are being treated to flawless switches between dense and impenetrable music and delicate, intimate sections that are just melodic and divine. It really shows the depth of the music and musical intelligence of SOMBRE.

"Endeavour Not To Dream Of Death, And His Hand" which again comes pounding in with a steady rhythm and some riffs that just make the hairs all over my body stand on end. This is Black Metal but not as I know it, I've found another niche for me to go and explore. The pounding rhythms really driving the track forwards, with the guitars just wailing over the back of the tracking adding a dimension that takes this to a whole new level. "Dancing Static (Interlude)" is exactly that, and it is disturbing.

The final track, "Tiresome Be, The Flight Of Life" is a journey in its own right. The seven minute track has some pretty chilled out introduction, and it develops over time building and building until quite the inevitable and sudden end. Could this be come sort of depiction about the development of life? The futility of it all, as we all begin the same, develop throughout our lives and ultimately, it ends.

Overall, this is a fantastic album. The song writing and musicianship is astounding. I have found a new band to follow and especially with them being here in the UK I am really hoping to catch them on a circuit sometime. To say that this was independently released, if you combined the passion and intensity of SOMBRE with some of the additional support that a label could offer, then you have the recipe for a trailblazing act that could set the scene alight.