Just seven years ago, it was these two legendary names in the world of atmospheric black metal that decided to join forces and create a split that’s still nigh-on seminal, “Sol”, that also acted as a marker of quality for not just themselves but the entire scene from that point after. Never before did I dare think that Mare Cognitum or Spectral Lore would come together to deliver us another split of godly proportions, but that didn’t stop them from taking years to craft something else altogether that came in the form of this tremendous work.

I really do feel like the cover art speaks volumes for what we’re in for with this record, and even then it pales in comparison to the sheer grandeur that both of these bands bring to the table here as they show us yet again just how much mastery they have over their craft. These two acts have literally nothing to prove for themselves, but that does not stop them for even a second to try and out-do themselves on a level we simply weren’t ready for. If it was “Sol” that created a whole new standard for the style, it’s here with “Wanderers: Astrology of the Nine” that the credibility and talent of both Spectral Lore and Mare Cognitum are cemented for all eternity. There isn’t a single aspect of this split that isn’t gorgeous in so many different ways, and it’s by the end of this nearly two-hour-long experience that we’re left drifting in a colorless, lightless void after what feels like learning the very secrets of the solar wind.

It would be a bold statement for me to try and claim this as the best work from either of these acts with their discography being nigh on exciting from their start to now, but I can’t help but feel completely confident that this split is very well capable of taking that crown. Spread out across ten tracks, the whole of “Wanderers: Astrology of the Nine” details the planets of our solar system in a style that I am not fully comprehending, but that doesn’t prevent this entire effort from feeling absolutely other-worldly as an effort of three years finally comes to fruition. It’s such that you can see all the careful decisions that were poured into this by both bands from the graceful atmospheres to the unyielding black metal to an enormous two-part collaboration that is simply exquisite to eat right up no matter how many times you listen to it. Both Spectral Lore and Mare Cognitum had no need to prove themselves before this split, and it’s without any sort of hesitation, no breaking of a single sweat, or having a single question in their skill that they absolutely dominate as an unstoppable duo yet again for “Wanderers: Astrology of the Nine” such that this will be very hard to top not just this year but many after it when we compare other black metal works that will follow.

It’s extremely rare that we get works like this, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a work like this that has come close to what “Wanderers: Astrology of the Nine” has that wasn’t “Sol”. There is virtually nothing in this piece that isn’t applause-worthy or not worthy of being hailed as an absolute champion of all things atmospheric black metal, and what two better bands to have brought it to life than these giants?

“Wanderers: Astrology of the Nine” releases on March 13th via I, Voidhanger Records!

PRE-ORDER “Wanderers: Astrology of the Nine” via Bandcamp here.

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