Black metal has always had a certain essence of iciness to it all when we consider the style in some of its rawest forms, but it’s not terribly often that we see a band expand on that to really take advantage of such a concept. Bands like Sorcier des Glaces and Veldes are just two that bring it to life to such exquisite detail that it’s always staggering to listen to no matter how many times I hear both of them. Whether they intended to or not, it’s with their brand new effort that Vixenta manages to tap into that very energy to make a record that’s as patient in its execution as it is tenacious in its spirit.

The cover art always plays like a visual window into any given album for the listener to really get an idea as to just what exactly they’re about the immerse themselves in, and that played to great effect here with Vixenta’s second full-length album. Just listening to any given song plucked off of “Polarity” to really get an idea of what that cover art is bringing on a visual level adds the perfect backdrop to the sonic excellence that this record brings forth in every given minute of its rollercoaster of a runtime. Noted as slightly more atmospheric than their previous work, Vixenta creates a depressive but nonetheless gorgeous creation of post-black metal that reels the listener in without fail as we can truly see before our eyes the flicker of human existence upon the frozen wastes of the far north with all the but slowly vanishing light of the sun lighting our futile path forward, and it’s the music that really drives home all the emotions that resonate throughout the whole of this compelling work. Across everything that is brought forth for “Polarity” from the haunting vocals, exhilarating strings, powerful drums, evocative piano, jaw-dropping atmospheres, and utterly compelling musicianship to make this a post-black record that does nothing but justice for all that the style is right down to the very roots of the style as Vixenta pulls off mastery with seemingly minimal effort.

I could fall back into this record for hours and still find beauty in the misery that it’s laying out completely on the table for us to really immerse ourselves in as Vixenta brings us in a form that would be extremely hard to deny for all that it is, and I’d be downright stunned to see anyone even attempt such. There’s so much to pick apart within the confines of “Polarity” such that I cannot help but recommend this to anyone who wants to stand in the midst of a blizzard drenched in diminishing sunlight where all there’s naught but emptiness as the echoing thoughts of your slipping mind.

LISTEN to “Polarity” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Vixenta on Facebook here.