Band: Cairiss
Album: Wilderness
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Country: United Kingdom
Label: Unsigned/Independent
Released: 31st of July, 2026
Introduction
Cairiss is an Atmospheric Black Metal Band from Southampton, UK. Founded in 2013, they went on a hiatus for the last ten years due to life being life. Coming back with Wilderness this year landed them on my radar. The record grew with every single release more and more on list of favourites and why? Let me tell you why.
Wilderness
Track list:
- Nervosa
- The Guide
- Integrate
- Dissociate
- Retrace
- Wildfire
“Nervosa” the first track off the release starts with a real post rock'esque feeling sound, like my favourite non-metal band “If these trees could talk” and then blends it into great Black Metal with screams reminiscent of “Harakiri for the Sky”. Furthermore, one thing really worth mentioning are the clean vocals from Lydia. Overall, the song is just a masterpiece in my opinion.
The Guide continues that direction with such a great mix of Post Rock and Black Metal and even steps up even more with the choir singing by Freya, Lydia, Martin, and Ethan. The guitar work is just mesmerizing, blending harshness with a dreamy feeling and a solo that could also be on a “Fusion” or “Plini” record.
But enough of a song by song approach. The whole album is a pure eargasm if you are into dreamy Black Metal. It does not feel like a ~50 min compilation of songs but more like a journey through the minds of the band members. When I listen to it, I imagine walking through a forest of pure joy and relief, while also encountering some sadness or darkness while traversing cliffs. Think of it like the journey of the fellowship, bright and joyful moments in Rivendell while accompanied by the choir of elves and then transcending over the Caradhras plagued by a storm while Saruman collapses the mountain over you. That's how I feel while listening to this record, would be interested in how anybody else feels while enjoying it.
Conclusion
A masterpiece in itself, if you are into storytelling Black Metal, please give it a listen. For me, it's already the Album of the year. My personal rating is a clear 10/10. While you are into the review, feel free to check out the Interview I did with Freya. Have fun listening to it, and please support Cairiss.
BMZ Rating: 10/10
Kili Schauer
moipoi
Homepage: https://linktr.ee/cairiss
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