Review: Adorn - Adorn

Band: Adorn
Album: Self-titled
Genre: Black Metal
Country: UK
Label: Northern Silence 
Released: November 2025

Introduction

Let me ask you a quick question, the last time you gazed wistfully out into the night sky lamenting the departure of your one true love, did you feel like you were missing something? You certainly did. Probably because your dumb ass hadn’t checked out the latest from UK black metal outfit Adorn.

Adorn

Track list:
1. Secrets of the Heart 
2. When Time Stood Still  
3. Tudor Garden 
4. Porcelain  
5. Your Majesty  
6. Midsummer 

On this self-titled release, Adorn mixes elegant uplifting black gaze riffs with intricate lush orchestration. Man, I have to say, it's pretty god-damn impressive to hear what these people can do in 2025 with a little imagination and commitment to the vibe. 

The one thing I would compare it to (another Northern Silence release funnily enough, great job fellas) is Diaphanous Deities by Au Clair De Lune and I have got to say I do enjoy that style of black metal. It’s easily some of the most interesting and atmospheric black gaze sounding stuff out there this year, and some arrangements sound so fucking good (the choirs on track one, for example). 

Also on the subject of “romantic black metal” for starters I don’t listen to any of that Këkht Aräkh (or whatever it's called)  black metal for mumble rap fans. But given the aesthetic of this project and the era it roughly focuses on, romantic black metal is definitely spot on, and it really does emanate a pretty strong sense of time and place. 

I’d legitimately like to know to what extent this period of history impacts these guys, and what the ambition is for this project in having a fixation on this time. It doesn’t feel mournful, like it is saying goodbye to a long gone era of beauty and (at least from an outsider's perspective) extravagance; it is more kind of invites anyone listening to it into this gorgeous world from the past. Listening really does feel like glaring through the window at the maiden on the cover brushing her hair in a 17th century room.

Conclusion

Overall, this really is pretty sick. In a sea of the same 2nd wave worship, hearing an album that really nails this kind of vibe is really cool. I was initially kind of cold on it, but after a couple of listens, I can confirm it's really got a unique charm all of its own that's revisit worthy. If you are familiar with Au Clair De Lune or So Hideous My Love, you’ll probably enjoy this. 

BMZ rating: 7.5 out of 10 

Support Adorn here: https://adorn-northernsilence.bandcamp.com/album/adorn 

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