To create black metal that is all but scathing is a concept the likes of which no fan of the style is unfamiliar with, but it can really feel like it’s more often than not that it’s in virtually the same form for the length of many albums. Each band can easily fall into the unfortunate pitfall of only making one kind of sound throughout any given record. That doesn’t come true for many, obviously, as they bring a very respectable amount of diversity to the table without forgetting the intensity, and is a magnificent example of that Epistēmē.

It’s hard to find a way to keep your listeners engaged with a varied sound unless you know for a fact that your target audience likes virtually just one sound that you can mass-produce like crazy, but I’ve always been the kind of listener that want my music to take many different turns even if the core idea from song to song is basically the same. That’s precisely what Dimholt has provided us here with “Epistēmē” in magnificent quantities with matching quality that helps make these ten tracks an enjoyable rollercoaster of black metal that’s not to be underestimated. Each track here covers just about the entire board for what many people go for in black metal and it’s all done exquisitely: ferocity that knows no bounds, a scathing fire in every note whose sole purpose is to enamor then destroy, and even melody in the mix that’s pulled off with deadly potency that never really gets old. Just the first track alone of “Epistēmē” is enough to make me investigate more, and it’s the entire rest of the album that gives me plenty of reasons to keep coming back as there are tons of little morsels to sink my teeth right into, and Dimholt are more than capable of dishing them out at virtually every single turn. They capitalize on every given moment and it’s pulled off with tremendous power that makes “Epistēmē” become a record that many should hear, but many sadly won’t which will undoubtedly make this record a true gem of the underground that only the worthy can listen to!

Such works like this are more common than we give them credit for, but given the nature of the underground itself these works remain hidden and unheralded geniuses like Dimholt go largely uncredited for their excellence. “Epistēmē” is a true spectacle that needs to be heard by any fan of black metal willing to listen to a record that knows how to change up their sound with great success, and anyone who does the work to dig for this piece will find a great reward when they come to the end of the final song.

LISTEN to “Epistēmē” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Dimholt on Facebook here.