Being able to approach a style and keep its roots intact while you take the branches via twisting their forms in order to create something that is still that same style at its core but still, ultimately, something very different. We’ve seen this with black metal on irregular occasion as we get some acts that really know how to create amalgamations that can range from menacing to blissfully hypnotic. Such creations are the sort of thing that I can never get enough of as it feels each iteration is something new entirely, which isn’t far from true, and Epectase has also reached such a unique summit with their upcoming record of many peaks and valleys.

In all honesty, listening to this felt like I was hearing what it means for black metal to land in the minds of an act that clearly respects the sound and its history as you can hear that plainly throughout “Astres” with no effort in seeking it out, but it’s the sheer exploration that makes this over hour-long record such a delight to dive into. The last time I felt so entranced by anything like this had to have been the latest full-length from Dødsferd, and that’s not to say they’re incredibly similar other than employing black metal to great effect, but there’s so much passion, talent, and expertise flying all over the fucking place with “Astres” that it really requires several listens before you can say you’ve really experienced the record, and even then later listens offer up little morsels of excellence to eat right up. And there’s so much in every song! Only the first strides in until ten minutes but not by much, and there’s so much revolving around this delectable core of black metal that varies gloriously from the tasteful atmosphere to melodic chunks that really grip the listener to death howls from the chasms of existence to culminate in an overall experience that has so many layers and so many rich flavors that “Astres” is all but irresistible if given the proper time to absorb and digestion.

Such excellence is very worthy of attention by many, but it’s clear to me that Epectase is very much a name that operates best out of the shadows for out of our very shades are these songs sewn from with exquisite detail and immaculate musicianship to tie it all together. “Astres” isn’t as hardcore as something like Esoctrilihum, but to navigate the depths that are carved out here with take great attention and diligence to explore fully and should you be thorough enough to discover all that Epectase has to offer here then truly you can say you’ve listened to this sparkling gem of the underground.

“Astres” releases on May 24th via I, Voidhanger Records!

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “Astres” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Epectase on Facebook here.