Review Summary: What you see is what you're going to get.
I think excitement has to be the most challenging thing that musicians have to channel. This is especially true when it comes to a genre like Black Metal. Is there anything left to offer? Haven’t we already heard every single take this genre could possibly produce? So, what would be the most logical approach for a new black metal band to take? Do you ride the waves of shoegaze which seems to be the sub-genre which has captivated the most listener's, or do you try to encapsulate that raw second wave sound? Whichever approach you take, originality has automatically left the chat. But does that really matter if you're playing at a level that other musicians can only aspire to? A Diabolic Thirst is essentially Second Wave Black Metal with modern production. And it is ***ing glorious.
What is Spectral Wound's calling card? What sets them apart and why should you listen to them? Isn't there enough second wave resurgence bands out there? Sure. But few are as tastefully done. Catchy Black Metal is underrated. The oppressive sense of dread at every corner seems to be what gets peoples rocks off. I get it, I really do. But that sense of dread doesn't have to be exclusive. Soul Destroying Black Debauchery, is a perfect example of the marriage between catchiness and despair. The album finds a way to be both atmospheric yet grounded and that is a rarity in the genre today.
The tempo changes that this record undertakes is truly masterful. Mausoleal Drift has audible transitions that are so distinctive, yet they somehow fit like a glove. The musicianship clearly foreshadows where the next arc of the song is going and once it approaches it is extremely satisfying. The ability to predict where a song is going is often frowned upon in the metal scene today. The genre is an interesting paradigm right now. Albums are dismissed for not pushing the envelope far enough. Hell, at times we dismiss them for pushing the boundaries too far. If you are looking for plain energetic Black Metal that is played at a high degree of proficiency, then this ones for you. You aren't going to be challenged to find nuances in the production or riffs. It's not a scavenger hunt–– it's dirty Black Metal and sometimes that all you want.
