To see any band decide to throw in the towel for any reason is a shame, and that goes double particularly for bands who have always delivered something worth listening to. Ysengrin more than qualifies as such with their releases being something I’ve looked forward to from the underground for years now, but we are drawing upon the act’s final days. It may hurt, but it’s with its final full-length album that Ysengrin do not leave us on a low note in any way.

Despite being a far cry from by-the-books death metal in many ways, Ysengrin has never once given mercy when it comes to its raw nature, attitude, and power even as the act explores with melodies and different styles that always keeps the listener engaged and interested as to what exactly will happen next. “Initiatio” is no different. Despite reviving four tracks from Ysengrin’s past, this record never once fails to deliver the goods that the band has been known to deliver in any capacity, and those revisits have new life injected into them as Ysengrin strives to make this record one of the best possible notes to go out on which was achieved magnificently. We’re given a vast array of everything that this act has ever brought to the table with its many releases as we hear straight-forward tracks, an ambient piece that’s beyond unnerving, and much more throughout “Initiatio” that proves to any unaware visitors to Ysengrin’s realm that this act is far more than another contributor to “normal” death metal. It’s proven to be a name that’s constantly challenging itself to do something different with its own sound in a style that can often be called stale by those who aren’t looking in the right places, and it’s such fervor and drives to create something different that I will likely miss the most about Ysengrin.

There is still one more offering to come from this act after the release of “Initiatio”, but that should not take away from the fact that this is Ysengrin’s final solo pursuit as we know it, and I can’t think of a better note to leave off on for such a special act. The curtain is slowly closing, but, as always, Ysengrin knows how to put on the perfect show right to the end and it will be until that final defiant note that Ysengrin is still in full control of our attention and desire.

“Initiatio” releases on July 17th via I, Voidhanger Records!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Initiatio” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Ysengrin on Facebook here.