For all that black metal has long been capable of, a strong melodic factor is always something that we see the sound return to sooner or later with it being quite constant that there's some new act out there, however obscure it may be, that manages to deliver on the high potential of the concept. By and large, we're living in a time where that is quite a common occurrence so long as you're paying attention. Out of the many that have come out of the woodwork in recent years, Kvaen is hands-down one of the most engaging of the bunch. Just five years after its inception, Kvaen's rise has been undeniable with their third work arguably their crowning achievements to date.
Given the sonic progression that Kvaen has been on since its debut album just four years ago, it feels almost natural that we would end up in a place like this with Kvaen almost clearly at the top of their game as well as reign well above much of the competition in regards to the modern landscape of melodic black metal. Their craft has been deadly from the beginning, yet it is with every given facet of what the act has brought to the table with "The Formless Fires" that we see some of the most exemplary works of this style that 2024 has given us thus far with practically all of the bases being covered. Of course, the strong sense of melody and rhythm are laced throughout the entirety of the album with there always a fiery presence of darkness, the influence of the night, and the cold embrace of death constantly coming together to make for an experience of melodic black metal that is just as potent as it is effective all the way to the very end. Add on top of all of that a viciously intoxicating execution that always keeps you coming back for more as Kvaen's carefully woven dark magic is something that is not to be denied or underestimated lest you become a thrall to their majesty. A powerful creation right from the concept alone, Kvaen delivers on practically every given promise.
Where the style has seen tremendous growth, Kvaen has been leading in the charge in more ways than one. A victory that is as overwhelming as it is awe-inspiring, "The Formless Fires" takes the very best of what the sound has been capable of for a long time with the results of this album simply undeniable.
LISTEN to "The Formless Fires" on Bandcamp here.
LIKE Kvaen on Facebook here.
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