The global underground scene of metal is so unbelievably massive and vast it’s impossible to hear everything that demands attention. Yet there are still bands that are absolutely essential and if you’re going to peruse the underground as often as someone like me then you’ll know that Spectral Lore is a name that is a damned essential in every sense. But today the mastermind has teamed up with the equally mystifying act of Jute Gyte to put together a split that’s as haunting as it is poignant.

Straight from the cover art that magnificently features the famed painting “Tod und Mann” (Death and Man) by Egon Schiele, you could tell that “Helian” was going to be something else, to begin with. Rarely does Spectral Lore put out any sort of material and not execute it in otherworldly fashion, and teaming up with Jute Gyte could only have led to quite the spectacle. Lo and behold, this split between two titans of black metal is a monster of over forty minutes between a mere two tracks to demonstrate that these two one-man bands are nothing to fuck with, they’re fucking geniuses all the way, and even after putting out metal for years and years “Helian” is a glorious achievement for the both of them. Basing this mammoth EP on the 1913 poem by Georg Trakl, “Helian” (for which the split was obviously named after), these two bring forth an experience that’s both familiar and fresh for the both of their unique approaches to their unique styles to bring forth a psychedelic, vicious experience that has a core theme deeper than the abyss itself. Contemplating on the bleakness of life, the terrible witnessing of death upon life and man itself, the futility of existence in its entirety, and the endless conundrum of God. It’s quite the heavy-handed piece in every sense of the term, but no matter what it still makes for a tremendous split that’s explosive, progressive, and satisfying to a great degree.

The beginning of next year is still just a few days away, but it’s already starting off with an amazing entrance! Spectral Lore and Jute Gyte put in a terrific effort with “Helian” is a way that displays their brilliance in ways that many others could only dream of. In every single way, “Helian” is a piece that both of these men should be incredibly proud of to the fullest and a few listens of this monster will easily show as to why.

“Helian” releases on January 19th via I, Voidhanger Records!

SUPPORT I, Voidhanger Records (and therefore Spectral Lore and Jute Gyte) by checking out the label’s Facebook page, their wondrous Bandcamp page, and/or store of awesomeness.