Review Summary: The end of this album is certainly dreary but it is also some absolutely superb music.
Begotten is not all that different from most other black metal bands. From the frosty tremolo riffs to the constant barrage of blast beats to the visceral rasps of the vocals, they all culminate together to create a melancholic, wintry atmosphere. It is harsh and often overwhelming yet still makes time for beautiful melodic passages, such as the folky acoustic flourishes that start the album off in the most inviting way in
Through Unending Rain. This is something, however, the album needs more of. It would act as a nice refresher from the band's otherwise really bleak soundscape, making it more dynamic and richer in its already superb atmosphere, and these acoustic breaks are something that Begotten evidently excels at. The band also brings in clean vocals for the album's grand finale,
To the Dreary End, making for the most powerful cut off the record, and this moment is then boosted by a climatic melodissonant riff to finish the album.
Even when infectious melodies are not on the band's mind, their material is still strong. The uncompromising 10 minute long
Far Too Late is a dissonant beast, with a pummelling riff after pummelling riff being paired with arguably the album's harshest screams.
Another Frail Horizon continues the demolished path that the previous track led. Despite it feeling slightly familiar after the clean intro, it maintains the rather bleak atmosphere.
To the Dreary End does lack some variety, as previously mentioned, but this isn’t quite the failing as it usually is. Due to the 32 minute runtime, it is clear that the intentions here was not a sprawling epic but to focus on the wintry and bleak mood, and they certainly succeeded in this area. While they certainly could have expanded some of their ideas to improve upon this atmosphere further, the album still achieves exactly what it sets out to do.
