Growth is always an extremely important part of any band's adventures through the underground. It's what keeps things simply moving forward and prevents stagnation from taking place which can oftentimes times be the moment where bands make or break their futures with tons riding on such moments. Black metal is constantly littered with acts poised to do great things with there being as many that are able to succeed as there are those that unfortunately fail. With all that they brought to the table for their first album just two years ago, The Mist from the Mountains certainly brought itself up to the plate of anticipation for what their future would hold. Having lost myself within their forthcoming sophomore work, my hope has been rewarded.
What always caught me off-guard about that previous album from The Mist from the Mountains is the simple fact that it tried to do a lot and still managed to come out on top where many others could have effortlessly floundered and put forth an experience that feels half-baked or not as well thought out. Walking through the threshold to see what this new album, "Portal - The Gathering of Storms", had to offer, it was from the very first track alone that it became crystal clear that The Mist from the Mountains held nothing back and knew precisely how to execute its dense and organic vision of melodic black metal that can seamlessly pull back into the realm of the atmospheric. This is an intense experience that is ever-shifting and churning into different directions much like the seas themselves that are at the center of the record with "Portal" always making damn sure to keep the listener guessing as to what is to come next whether it's a piece that pulls more from the likes of folk while the black metal always plays a key role at the intensity, passion, and the very color of the soul that the album boasts in every given moment. The sort of record that can become effortless to become lost in with all that it has to offer with its nature-centric themes and all-encompassing intensity with more than enough contrast, "Portal" is simply captivating.
It's always a true reward to witness potential come through and defy the odds with The Mist from the Mountains more than delivering on every possible promise that was offered to us with its debut album. As gorgeous as it is unforgiving in its raw approaches, "Portal - The Gathering of Storms" stands as the second part in a proposed trilogy with the quality, passion, and massive presence of the record itself speaking volumes for what kind of band we're dealing with here.
"Portal - The Gathering of Storms" releases on October 11th via Primitive Reaction!
LISTEN to an advanced track from "Portal - The Gathering of Storms" on Bandcamp here.
LIKE The Mist from the Mountains on Facebook here.
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