Paulo Bruno founded THY LIGHT, a Depressive Black Metal project, in Limeira, Sao Paulo Brazil back in 2005. In 2006, he was joined by Alex "Witchfinder" Aguiar. One demo and one full-length album later, the project is now based in Glasgow, Scotland. This year they entered a 50/50 partnership with Talheim Records and released a self-titled EP. I should say here that calling "Thy Light" an EP feels disingenuous. Sure, it only features two tracks, but it has a runtime of over 36 minutes. Also, the songwriting and musical composition of these two tracks are much more mature and evolved than one might expect.

The first track, "Infinite Stars thereof," is almost 20 minutes long and navigates through several movements from meditative atmospheric to Black Metal hellscape to acoustic melodic with a few additional stops in between. There are screeching vocals but also gorgeous guitar solos; ambient sounds of rainstorms but also crushing cascades of distorted riffs. The contrast the song contains within itself is reflective of what the lyrics express - "Dissolution of the inmost particle of dust. / Eternally radiating energy at your heart."

The second track, "The Crossing of the Great White Bear," starts with a piano intro with synth overlays. This peaceful opening runs for over three minutes before segueing into a melodic phasing. From there it builds, deconstructs, reforms, and is reborn. Interestingly the great white bear is a key figure in the Central Algonquian belief system, having the power to both maintain and end life. Now, I'm not saying the song is about the North American Indian legend, but it does acknowledge the same reverence and awe that this beast inspires, whether it is a god-like polar bear, a Black Metal icon, or a personal acquaintance to Paolo or Alex. The song itself is emotive, moving, and powerful.

Altogether THY LIGHT has captured something essential in their self-titled release. Label it DSBM or just art, it weaves a story, relays a sentiment, provokes thought and feeling - What more can you ask for from music? While the album doesn't necessarily break new ground in the Black Metal space, it is certainly an impressive offering and well worth the purchase.