Album Review: Netherbird – Into The Vast Uncharted (Eisenwald)

Swedish melodic black/death metal act Netherbird is pleased to announce their upcoming fifth album ‘Into The Vast Uncharted’, due out September 27th 2019 via Eisenwald!

Netherbird has blurred the boundaries between black, death and other extreme strains of heavy metal since 2004. The band was founded by like-minded individuals among the Swedish metal scene with the intentions of creating harsh metal while drawing inspiration from black and death metal without any regards, or limitations, to the structures surrounding each respective sub-genre.

It’s been a while since we have talked about Netherbird on this website. In fact it was way back in 2016 with a review of their last album, The Grander Voyage. An album we loved and scored very high (read our review here). That’s in the past though, we are here to talk about the future. The future of Netherbird and whether Into the Vast Uncharted is going to give them even more momentum or see the blackened band stutter to a halt.

It begins very well with Saturnine Ancestry, a frantic and harsh opener with a build that heralds the extreme destruction that is coming our way. In that unmistakable black metal way, the drums are on fire and the vocals gargle and roar. However what really stands out are the guitars, tearing away with a wealth of riffs. Netherbird are back and already picking up steam.

The winding metal riffing of Harvest the Stars showcases what fans already know. Netherbird aren’t wholly one thing or another. Blending traditional heavy metal riffing/soloing with a darkness covered medley of thumping percussion and scaled back, whispered vocals. It’s an incredible track.

As is Mercury Skies, a far longer and much more challenging listen. The journey this one takes the listener on is simply fabulous. From the most extreme of extreme, to the surprising hooks of guitar flair and the melodic drops that creates feeling and emotion. Fabulous.

Sniffing at the heels of the albums that are on the shortlist for the best of the year, Lunar Pendulum is another instant classic (those riffs, my gods!). Eventide Evangel is deliciously dark, the strumming guitar, mellow beat and inviting vocals wowing at first. Eventually it develops, like a bird working out how to fly, and soars into black metal horror heaviness.

The most traditional sounding bleakness arrives in the form of The Obsidian White although Netherbird can’t still help themselves with a screeching guitar solo. Before Nexus of Unlight arrives with a spell-binding drum beat and a deep, throaty roar. Another effortless track from a band that can make deep, dark, brooding and thought-provoking extreme metal in their sleep.

It was always going to be a tough ask to top what they did in 2016 but man, oh man they’ve smashed it. Smashed it right out of Hell and into the waiting ears of those willing to experience it. Which really should be everyone.

Netherbird – Into the Vast Uncharted Full Track Listing:

1. Saturnine Ancestry
2. Harvest The Stars
3. Mercury Skies
4. Lunar Pendulum
5. Eventide Evangel
6. The Obsidian White
7. Nexus of Unlight

Links

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