The Pitch: Polish solo black metal project Ars Magna Umbrae, and their latest album Apotheosis via I, Voidhanger Records. FFO: Deathspell Omega, Outre, Nightbringer
What I Like: I got into Ars Magna Umbrae with their 2017 effort Into The Inescapable Madness and was even more impressed with the follow up Lunar Ascension in 2019; comparing them to the likes of Deathspell Omega with their insidious , serpentlike guitars and thunderous drumming. And while many of those comparisons persist on Apotheosis, there are also a number of shifts in dynamics that make it stand out from its predecessors. Overall, it’s a much more atmospheric outing, opting to break up the more aggressive portions with vast bouts of instrumental tension-builders and dark ambience. In a bold move, Ars Magna Umbrae even open the album with one of these arrangements for a full 5 minutes. The result is an album that feels at times like an appropriate alternate score for Nosferatu with its lurking mist of malevolent melodies.
Critiques: As stated in my review of the previous album, I still prefer the more aggro segments to the morose and doomy ones, but that may just be a personal preference.
The Verdict: Ars Magna Umbrae continue to be a name I trust to provide quality black metal every time it comes up in my inbox. It's evil, atmospheric stuff that you shouldn't pass on if you are a fan of the genre.
Flight's Fav's: On The Wings of Divine Fires, She Who Splits The Earth, Of Divine Divergence
- Review by FlightOfIcarus
SUBSCRIBE to our Trench Talk Podcast on iTunes, Castbox, YouTube, and BitChute. You can also like and follow us on the social media of your choice with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and support us on Patreon.