Cistvaen's debut album delivers the goods and then some. Recommend for lovers of depressive atmospheric black metal. Refreshingly straightforward and achieving a full sound with only the basics (guitar, bass, drums, vocals).
The album makes a strong start with the title track, delivering icy riffs masterfully. Shimmering tremolo leads soar above perfectly complimenting and filling the sound. In fact, the production of this album is truly a strong point. The drums are clear and well balanced and decidedly audible in contrast with the usual genre tropes. The drums are very well performed, with plenty of variance to beats and fills, always playing to what fits the music and never once overplaying.
The guitar tone is wonderful, feeling somewhat reminiscent of retro releases, whilst maintaining enough modern edge to hold up against a contemporary standard. The riffs themselves are well crafted, generally drawn out and depressive.
The vocals are indeed well fitting to a release of this subgenre, but not totally drowned in reverb but rather tastefully moist as it were. The vocal delivery is well measured with a good sense of rhythm, playing with some alternate patterns and variation where called for. I especially enjoyed the spoken word section during the title track (which I will no doubt hark back to frequently, as it is my favourite); it added an air of mysticism and perfectly cemented the brooding atmosphere of a clean section before coming back in strongly again with the full distortion.
Many of tracks on this album have a minor progressive edge, ebbing and flowing across many minutes, many pushing the 10 minute mark. A notable and well crafted song fitting this would be Cessation of Hope. Winding and suitably doomy this track delivers a fine number of riffs and a palpable taste of sorrow.
Next to discuss is the bass lines. They are perhaps one of the most stand-out parts to Cistvaen. As in previous releases, the bass is always performed to a high standard, with unusual but enchanting riffing placed at a beautifully audible level. Regularly hitting arpeggios and playing around with alternate patterns; the bass almost plays a lead section, with so much variance to the original guitar riff.
Later in the album the track Bleak House grabbed my attention with its more traditional metal intro working as a great way to recover the listener from sorrows. The track evolves into a more upbeat, perhaps triumphant feel. As the track progresses it ebbs and flows again in that progressive manner aforementioned with some excellent evolution of riffs, building more on the atmosphere just when you think it had reached its pinnacle. Silver Birch shows off a beautiful short acoustic guitar piece reminiscent of Opeth. Silver Birch bridges perfectly into The Blind Observer, providing that seamless transition.
I must confess I found myself very much enjoying this album. It showcases a fine and rare gem in atmospheric black metal and certainly on a par with some atmospheric greats. The album feels more like one continuous track than separate ones, in the way a concept album might. It may also explain some times where riffs feel very familiar or have come back again later in the album. A minor complaint is that the album is perhaps a little long, but then again it is befitting of the genre, perhaps my attention span is just a little short ha! /source
A top release of this year and likely a contender for the album of the year list.
For fans of:Agalloch, Alcest, Insomnium, Wolves in the Throne Room, Winterfylleth, My Dying Bride, Swallow the Sun etc.
released April 5, 2024