Genre : Depressive Black Metal

Release : 2019

Album Info / Review

Intro:
Advent Sorrow, the enigmatic entity hailing from the depths of Australia, unleashes “Kali Yuga Crown,” a sprawling testament to their uncompromising vision of black metal. This is not an album for the faint of heart or those seeking melodic pleasantries. Instead, it’s a visceral journey into the heart of despair and cosmic nihilism, meticulously crafted with a raw, unyielding intensity that seeps into the very marrow. From the opening sonic assault, it’s clear that Advent Sorrow is not interested in adhering to conventional genre boundaries, instead forging their own path through a landscape of unrelenting darkness. The production, while intentionally lo-fi and abrasive, manages to convey a chilling atmosphere, allowing the intricate song structures and ferocious instrumentation to breathe and suffocate in equal measure.

Track Analysis:
“The Serpent’s Shadow” commences the descent with a blizzard of tremolo-picked guitars, a relentless barrage that immediately establishes the album’s aggressive posture. The blast beats are pulverizing, yet possess a dynamic ebb and flow, punctuated by moments of unsettling atmospheric interludes that hint at the cosmic horror lurking beneath the surface. “Veil of Oblivion” introduces a more brooding, almost monolithic quality. The guitars here are thicker, more dissonant, creating a sense of suffocating dread. Vocalist K.L. delivers a guttural rasp that is both menacing and filled with a profound sense of anguish, each syllable a testament to the suffering of the Kali Yuga. The drum work on this track, particularly the intricate cymbal work and the thunderous tom fills, adds layers of complexity to the otherwise crushing soundscape. “Chronicles of the Void” shifts gears with a more mid-paced, yet equally impactful, approach. The riffing here is more serpentine, weaving a complex tapestry of despair. There are subtle shifts in tempo and dynamics that keep the listener on edge, preventing any sense of complacency. The bassline, often a buried element in extreme metal, is remarkably present and propulsive, anchoring the chaos with a grim determination. “The Unmaking” is a brutal exercise in sonic attrition. The tempo rarely relents, and the guitar solos, when they appear, are not for show but rather shrieking, dissonant cries that mirror the lyrical themes of societal decay. The layering of vocals, with whispers and chants interspersed with the primary harsh vocals, creates a disorienting and nightmarish effect. “Crimson Dawn of Ruin” offers a brief respite, not in terms of melody, but in its slightly more structured approach. The song builds with a palpable tension, culminating in a furious outro that leaves the listener breathless. The use of subtle synth textures, almost imperceptible at times, adds an unsettling alien quality to the already bleak sound. “The Serpent’s Shadow (Reprise)” serves as a cyclical conclusion, bringing the album full circle with a final, devastating statement of intent.

Conclusion:
“Kali Yuga Crown” is a formidable and uncompromising work of art. Advent Sorrow has succeeded in crafting an album that is both deeply personal and cosmically vast in its scope. It’s an album that demands repeated listens, revealing new layers of sonic brutality and atmospheric depth with each immersion. This is not an album designed for passive consumption; it is an experience that requires active engagement, a willingness to confront the abyss. Advent Sorrow has solidified their position as a vital force within the underground metal scene, delivering a potent and unforgettable declaration of their bleak philosophy.

Rating: 4.5 / 5

Highlight Track: Veil of Oblivion

Genre : Depressive Black Metal

Release : 2015

Album Info / Review

Intro:
Advent Sorrow’s sophomore full-length, *As All Light Leaves Her*, descends like a shroud of obsidian dust, a testament to the enduring power of atmospheric black metal forged in the crucible of profound melancholy. Emerging from the shadows of the Australian underground, the duo of guitarist/vocalist Liam Jones and bassist/keyboardist Ben Wilson has crafted an album that transcends mere genre categorization, weaving a tapestry of despair, introspection, and an almost suffocating beauty. This is not music for the faint of heart, nor for those seeking facile catharsis. Instead, *As All Light Leaves Her* demands surrender to its glacial pacing and suffocating atmosphere, rewarding patience with a deeply affecting emotional resonance. The production, while intentionally raw and unpolished, lends a visceral authenticity to the proceedings, allowing the raw emotion to bleed through every distorted riff and mournful passage.

Track Analysis:
1. **”The Absence of Light”**: The album opens with a stark, ambient synth passage, a chilling prelude that evokes the vast emptiness of a starless night. This slowly gives way to a desolate, clean guitar melody, dripping with a sorrow that feels ancient and inescapable. The build is gradual, allowing the listener to become immersed in the desolation before the first blast of distorted fury erupts, driven by Jones’s raw, guttural shrieks. The tempo shifts are masterful, transitioning from furious onslaughts to moments of fragile, almost orchestral despair, punctuated by Wilson’s subtle yet impactful keyboard textures.

2. **”Whispers from the Void”**: This track plunges headfirst into the album’s core sound. A relentless, tremolo-picked riff forms the backbone, a sonic representation of gnawing anxiety. The drums are a chaotic yet precise barrage, never overwhelming the intricate guitar work. Wilson’s keyboards here are not mere embellishments; they act as spectral counterpoints, adding layers of eerie grandeur and a sense of cosmic dread. The vocal delivery is a desperate rasp, conveying a profound sense of isolation.

3. **”Beneath the Fading Sun”**: A more dynamic offering, this track showcases Advent Sorrow’s ability to craft compelling narratives through sound. The opening is a majestic, almost doomy passage, heavy and deliberate. This gives way to a surprisingly melodic, yet still melancholic, section featuring a prominent bass line that grounds the ethereal guitar melodies. The vocal performance here is particularly potent, shifting between guttural roars and pained, almost whispered lamentations. The climactic section features a soaring, yet sorrowful, guitar solo that feels like a final, desperate cry into the abyss.

4. **”Her Shadow Lingers”**: This is perhaps the album’s most overtly atmospheric piece. The guitars are layered with reverb and delay, creating a vast, echoing soundscape. The percussion is sparse and tribal, adding to the sense of ritualistic despair. Wilson’s keyboards are more prominent here, conjuring images of spectral figures and forgotten rituals. The track builds to a crescendo of distorted noise and anguished vocals, before abruptly cutting out, leaving a chilling silence.

5. **”As All Light Leaves Her”**: The titular track is an epic journey through the depths of despair. clocking in at over ten minutes, it’s a masterclass in atmospheric black metal songwriting. It begins with a haunting, clean guitar arpeggio, gradually building in intensity with layered synths and a slow, crushing drum beat. The vocals are a guttural, desperate wail that perfectly encapsulates the album’s themes. The song ebbs and flows, moving from crushing, dissonant passages to moments of profound, almost beautiful sorrow, before culminating in a final, agonizing descent into silence. The use of ambient sound effects, like wind and distant thunder, further enhances the feeling of isolation and impending doom.

6. **”The Last Embrace”**: This track serves as a poignant epilogue. It’s a slower, more introspective piece, dominated by a mournful clean guitar melody and subtle, ambient keyboard textures. The vocals are sparse and resigned, conveying a sense of finality and acceptance of the encroaching darkness. The track fades out with a lingering sense of peace born from utter devastation, leaving the listener with a profound sense of catharsis, albeit a dark and heavy one.

Conclusion:
*As All Light Leaves Her* is a monumental achievement in atmospheric black metal. Advent Sorrow has not only honed their craft but have pushed the boundaries of the genre with their unflinching exploration of despair and melancholic beauty. The album is a cohesive, immersive experience, each track contributing to the overarching narrative of loss and desolation. It’s a testament to the power of raw emotion translated through meticulously crafted soundscapes. This is an album that demands repeated listens, revealing new layers of despair and beauty with each immersion. It is a bleak masterpiece, a testament to the enduring power of darkness in art.

Rating: 9.5/10

Highlight Track: “As All Light Leaves Her”