Review: Spectral Wound — Songs of Blood and Mire
Spectral Wound, the black metal outfit from Canada, is back with their latest work Songs of Blood and Mire, we reviewed it, and you can read our thoughts here.
Band: Spectral Wound
Album: Songs of Blood and Mire
Genre: Black Metal
Country: Canada
Label: Profound Lore Records
Released: 23rd August 2024
Introduction
This review was written while sitting on a bench in the Italian city of Stresa. My significant other is roaming the streets looking for cute little stores, and I'm on a bench looking over the Lake Maggiore, so the setting in which this review came to be, could be worse.
Headphones on and plugged in; we start with the new Spectral Wound. Their previous album was well received by the fans and the media, so there was quite some anticipation for this one. I did enjoy the previous album, as it ended up on my AOTY list. So 3 years in the making, what did Spectral Wound conjure into existence this time? Let's find out.
The album
So what did I expect from this release? To be honest, that they made more of the same and in general, this is exactly what they've accomplished. The album is well produced and sounds immaculate from start to finish. The most considerable change, at least to my ears, is that there is a bit more of a black 'n' roll influence this time compared to their previous work.
In my book, that's a great thing because it changes the songs up and makes them a bit more diverse.
Their previous album was more rawe in comparison, don't get me wrong though, there are plenty of raw elements in this album, but the sprinkles of black 'n' roll merge it more into a well-rounded package, that probably will appeal to an even broader black metal fanbase.
As said, music wise, the entire album is just quality, the vocals, and instruments all do their part and especially the drums, sound like a barrage of bullets going off. The icy vocals mix great with it, chilling as enogh to freeze Lake Maggiore. That's at least the idea or image that comes to mind when listening to this album in 31c at the lakeside.
Tracklist:
- Fevers and Suffering
- At Wine-Dark Midnight in Mouldering Halls
- Aristocratic Suicidal Black Metal
- The Horn Marauding
- Less and Less Human, O Savage Spirit
- A Coin upon the Tongue
- Twelve Moons in Hell
Everything mentioned comes together greatly in the third track of the album, titled Aristocratic Suicidal Black Metal. On this track, the black 'n' roll influences are very audible as it features some great riffs. Another great song is the last one of the album, Twelve Moons in Hell, which by itself is a great title conjurning a lot of images in my mind, and the music also matches that to perfection. The goes hard from the start, kicking off in a rabid pace, the icy vocals and blasting drums really complement the guitar assault throughout. Both these tracks give a great insight in what this album, and per se, Spectral Wound is all about.
Conclusion
So 3 years in the making, but did they deliver? In my opinion, yes, they did. It's a great album with many exciting elements to it. And it will probably be on repeat for plenty of listeners. For me, the best change is the more noticeable undertone of black 'n roll, but that's just personal taste and could differ for you.
It will make my personal Album of the Year list, but not sure which spot just yet. I'll see that at the end of the year. Now for the BMZ rating. I would rate this album a:
8 – Very Good: An impressive album that rises above many others. It features innovative ideas, captivating lyrics or excellent musicianship that makes it stand out.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHbUX6TM3vg[/embedyt]
Support Spectral Wound here: https://spectralwound.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-blood-and-mire
What you think of Songs of Blood and Mire by Spectral Wound
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