Ubiquity in the world of metal is a very rare thing that often takes decades for virtually every band to achieve no matter what style we’re talking about, but on even rarer occasions do we see a band really come into their own as quickly as Cult of Luna has since their debut album not long after the turn of the century. There’s no denying it, however – the band has truly become the very definition of ubiquitous when it comes to post-sludge metal in the current climate of the sound with Cult of Luna reigning virtually unchallenged with every release they dish out being precisely enough to both meet and wildly defy expectations. It’s always a wonder to see the band top themselves despite doing so year after year, but I think with this newest effort they’ve crested a hill none of us could’ve foreseen.

Even looking at the band’s last two efforts, 2021’s “The Raging River” and 2019’s “A Dawn to Fear”, it wouldn’t be a stretch for anyone to say that Cult of Luna might have peaked but how could a band possibly return after delivering such earth-shattering performances and not only bring forth a performance that can match what was done before but almost overshadow altogether. Yet, it’s virtually instantly that one can tell “The Long Road North” is a different beast all its own. You could take any single track from this amazingly layered, deep creation and it would stand more than strong on its own without an inch of wavering in any capacity, and it’s even then that we only scratch the outermost thin layer of the surface of all that Cult of Luna delivers with “The Long Road North”. There has never been a better time to be a fan of this band with all the god-tier material that’s coming out at an astonishing rate with the peaks and valleys of this record sure to scratch any itch that one may have when falling into this record as this is a titanic creation that’s much more than some riffs brought together or atmospheres that are simply given the proper care in order to mature into something interesting. In no small way, this is a record that is the very definition of monolithic for all that it brings forward, achieves, and still dares to strive for even after accomplishing so much in even just its first few tracks to quickly culminate into a work that’s as massive as it packed with flavor, engorging as it is tear-inducing, and serene as it is cathartic; a true masterwork of this style in every category.

Without exception, it should become clear to any who dives into the freezing waters of this breath-taking creation that this is destined to be hailed as one of the most compelling, intoxicating, and titanic creations that 2022 will throw our way with the very name of Cult of Luna somehow being done even more justice by their hands. Words like “masterpiece” and “ubiquitous” can only describe so much of what this band is able to accomplish after witnessing what they can bring forth with efforts like “The Long Road North”, but damn if they aren’t knocking on the right door with their use.

LISTEN to “The Long Road North” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Cult of Luna on Facebook here.