When dealing with such a style like atmospheric black metal, the feeling of drowning in an absolute ocean of potentially interesting acts becomes all but endless with how overcrowded the scene can effortlessly be tagged as but it is still very much something that can be a true treasure trove for anyone willing to put in the work to excavate what can be found. In some cases, though, one can be fortunate enough to have the material find the listener. That was precisely what happened tonight in the case of the latest work from A Pale December with their new album, and it’s in every way I couldn’t be any happier to be so fortunate for such a stroke of luck with all that this album offers and manages to execute wondrously.

A strong sci-fi edge is something that we’re slowly starting to see more and more of across the many different sides of the entire metal spectrum, and I don’t think we could find a better blending of styles in an aural form than that given how malleable they both are. Whether it’s a cyberpunk attitude mixed with a progressive metal vessel or the scouring of the very universe with an extreme metal infusion, the possibilities feel downright endless with bands like A Pale December showing us how it can be done in their latest effort of grandeur, “Death Panacea”. While the very themes of this 6-track display of atmospheric black metal mastery are lost on me, it’s all but evident that the very impassioned performance at play here draws from so much of what has long made the style so interesting to begin with alongside all that it’s possible of with A Pale December coming around to really show us what they’re made of for their second full-length album. There’s not a single minute that passes for the entire length of “Death Panacea” where the listener can find A Pale December slipping in any form as they effortlessly bound from overwhelming energy to deep, engrossing atmospheres that quickly lets us find the innermost wonders of what’s to be found within the wonders of this album with every inch of it not just graced by the talent expertly wielding by the band, but an invigorating performance of the style that continues to show us what is possible in many of its various forms without an ounce of compromisation to be had in its true entirety.

Very quickly does the album make itself out to be a compelling listen that very much feels like the most complete creation from A Pale December to date from all that they dare to bring to the table with virtually all of it coming together beautifully to make for an overall outstanding creation that not only makes the record stand out from much of the competition but, more importantly, really shows the world what A Pale December can really be capable of. There’s not a single shred of what’s brought forth within “Death Panacea” that can be overstated in its utter magnificence for all that it achieves, and I can only fathom that this is just the very beginning of what we can come to expect from the likes of A Pale December.

“Death Panacea” releases on February 11th via Avantgarde Music!

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

LIKE A Pale December on Facebook here.