VISITANT is a Blackened Death Metal band that weaves ethereal elements into a soundscape that is as haunting as it is aggressive. Lyrically and musically, the band crafts immersive dreamscapes—ritualistic and unrelenting—that channel the essence of restless, vengeful spirits. The album has seven songs, and “Unworldly” is first. Out of the gate comes dark piano notes and tension, which is immediately released by the onslaught of the aggressive riff and vocal screams. The sound does settle a bit, and then you can hear the intricacies of the music. It’s like a web woven by a giant spider who kills and eats humans for sport.

“Briars” begins with sweet vocals and a gentle touch, which heightens the sense of tension even more. The big bomb explodes, and what follows are tightly composed runs and snippets that give the album a distinct progressive feeling. “Starless” is another song with a gentle opening, and that makes the sonic boom that much stronger when it finally hits. It has a slower pace, which allows the harrowing elements to sink deep into your bones. It picks up with fervor, and the wheels nearly come off the careening bus, yet somehow they maintain steering. “Rubidium” has an aggressive bite to it that is akin to the lethal fangs of a venomous snake. Passing in and through a dark thunderstorm, you can’t see the light on the other side.

“Fodder” is a chaotic and contentious slab of Black Metal that oozes into active drips and covers the ground below. Again, detailed Progressive elements suggest a band that has an advanced sense of meters and timing. Yet somehow, they pull it all together in the end. “Envy’s Lament” effortlessly combines the naked aggression of Black Metal with melody, and yes, these two things can indeed be best friends. The melodies are quite sweet, and they fit into the music in a warped sort of way that makes sense. “Moon Bathe” is the final offering, a two-minute wind down from all the madness. Interestingly, however, it doesn’t “wrap up” the tale as you think it might, and it leaves you without the answers…awaiting more music.

This was an outstanding album, and the band left no stone unturned, even the smaller ones. The aggressive bite of Black Metal was there, just as you would want, but intelligent, technical elements also mixed in, as well as thoughtful, Progressive ones. I would call this “thinking man’s Black Metal.”