This album strikes an equilibrium between the serrated aggression of Black Metal and the haunting pull of melody. It proves that melody in Black Metal doesn’t have to dilute its power. On the contrary, when used with intent and artistry, it can sharpen the edge, deepen the wound, and make the darkness all the more profound. In a genre that too often prizes purity over evolution, it’s a reminder that melody doesn’t weaken darkness — it gives it shape, and, sometimes, meaning.
