I was lucky enough to discover Sojourner very early on in their career. So early that I discovered them when they released their very first song almost three years ago. It’s been a true privilege to watch this international band go from a speck in the metal underground to the new marvel on the block with their debut, “Empires of Ash”. Now, not too long later, they return triumphantly with “The Shadowed Road” that isn’t only an improvement on its predecessor but also a true marvel of modern black metal the likes of which only a handful of bands have been able to successfully create.

One of the things that help bands like Sojourner stand out from the majority of the crowd is their masterful instrumentation that doesn’t only have a very modern take on black metal but also an ethereal, even fantasy, feel to it all. That right there allows the band in question to go from one specific style to another in an instant to help create a living, breathing world that for black metal can seem difficult, but Sojourner makes it look fucking easy. “Empires of Ash” showed the band’s ability to bring together metal, flutes, piano, and more to bring about black metal in a matter that took over the metal underground by storm, and “The Shadowed Road” is already doing the very same. I’ve always had a feeling that Sojourner would continue to impress us with their special blend of awesomeness well past their first album, and as it stands right now they’re continuing to blow us away!

Right from that astounding cover art, I knew that Sojourner brought their A-game yet again with “The Shadowed Road” in ways I only dreamed of! This 51-minute epic shows us once again that Sojourner means business from a very polished take on black metal while remaining atmospheric at times to show us how you bring a more mystical feel that only the pagan or epic veins of black metal can capture. Yet, “The Shadowed Road” embodies it all so perfectly it’s all but delicious to listen to. Every ounce that Sojourner brings to the table here is the very definition of organic metal with all seven tracks being true roller-coasters of entertainment as we fly around the mountains to the sound of a beautiful tin flute, reflecting on friends now enemies from the amazing vocals (all of them, not just the growls), and enjoy peace overcoming darkness from the masterful sense of musicianship that permeates every song, note, and second of “The Shadowed Road”. There’s no doubt that Sojourner’s debut album gave them quite the name and a devoted following upon its release, and “The Shadowed Road” will only bring greater praise to this band that’s incredibly deserving of it.

Of all the styles there are in the vast realm of underground metal, few styles are more successful that epic black metal that only the most exquisite of bands are able to master. With the likes of Saor and Downfall of Nur sitting at the top, it’s not time for Sojourner to join them with this new album showing they’re more than a band that can only deliver one solid album. “The Shadowed Road” is one of the more highly anticipated albums that I’ve been looking forward to for a while, and Sojourner has more than lived up to the hype and this record is sure to be a milestone for not only the band but metal as a whole!

LISTEN to “The Shadowed Road” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Sojourner on Facebook here.