When Black Metal was fractured and many genres were born inside of it, a great range of musical paths were opened. There are endless forms of playing the style nowadays. When BURZUM released "Det Som Engang Var" in 1993, it was the beginning of the so-called Atmospheric Black Metal, a style where somber melodies are mixed with aggressive instrumental parts and shrieked voices. Even now, 24 years after this classical album was released, other bands came and put efforts in creating something in this way. One of them is the Danish quintet SUNKEN, and their first album, called "Departure", is a fine example of how the formula still has its charm.

The bitter and sad melodies are presented, as well as the harsh and filthy aggressiveness of the genre is here too. Of course the band knows how to deal with their own music, using a different insight and a great dose of musical personality to do it. It is far from perfection, but they do a great work on "Departure". The mixing and the mastering of "Departure" were done by the careful hands of Johan Jørgensen, and he did a good job, because the sound quality is truly good for what the band's musical style needs. It is filthy and raw, but being faithful to the roots of Atmospheric Black Metal. But I believe that a clearer insight could have done miracles.

On five songs, SUNKEN shows that the band is really good, but they use very long songs. Some short tracks could be better, because they repeat some parts time and time again, and it can be boring to some fans. But the brutal and grasping "Void", with the contrast of brutal and fast tempos with melodies and shrieked vocals; the introspective and melodic clean parts of "Sunken" and some very good work from bass guitar and drums during the aggressive moments, the same elements that you'll find on "Departure". The longest track, "In the Cold Embrace of the Waves", is very good and has great harmonies, fine guitars and vocals.  They are all good, but in shorter formats could have a better effect. SUNKEN is a good band, and as "Departure" is their first album, experience can do miracles, and the second album can be great!