After hearing dozens upon hundreds of different styles, you start to get a feel of the various sounds in general as it’s really easy to eventually pick up on different aspects that show up continuously over time. A lot of time when I sit down to eat up some atmospheric black metal, we get plenty of atmosphere (shocking) but it’s the black metal that all too often feels monotone which can make for a boring listen, ultimately. I expected a little bit of that going into the new Dwell in Solitude EP, but it’s with a breath of fresh air that this act doesn’t fall into such a trap.

An exploration of sonic range and be able to find quality in different sounds is what separates some bands from the mass of others that allow them to stand out as it’s sounding different, yet not too much in most cases, that brings many people in and I’m far from different to such circumstances. Where Dwell in Solitude drums up a take on atmospheric black metal that we’ve all heard before but still exploring slightly new territory to give us just enough of a breath of fresh air to allow this EP to occasionally take on life that’s wholly it’s own. “Doomed to Live Without Reason” tackles many different themes that have been constants in the style from bringing in melodic and depressive elements combined with strokes from the likes of post-black metal to really spice up the mix, and Dwell in Solitude does a bang-up job with incorporating it all with these four tracks. Nothing feels to overpower the other with everything about “Doomed to Live Without Reason” containing immense purpose as each song has its own spectacular flavor to lose yourself in along with quality that’s all but intriguing as Dwell in Solitude clearly knows of the fine art of continuing to draw the listener in at every opportunity they’re given.

It’s not too often that I come across an album like this that can blend the elements together this well while simultaneously give us a listen that doesn’t feel boring by any means or “by the books” in any form, and I certainly wasn’t expecting to be met with just that going into these four tracks that enable “Doomed to Live Without Reason”. Dwell in Solitude may be far from one of the most exceptional acts of the style that I’ve heard in my years, but in plenty of ways, this act impresses and lays a foundation for excellence to bud forth following this EP that shows there are certainly wheels turning for this band.

LISTEN to “Doomed to Live Without Reason” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Dwell in Solitude on Facebook here.