Raw ambition is oftentimes what many recognize as the key to creating an album that won’t be forgotten anytime soon as well as an essential factor as to what makes that effort destined to be hailed as one of the year’s best. While it is important by all accounts, there is always so much more than goes into any given effort that is lucky enough to have a vast level of ambition going on behind its curtain with its combination alongside talent, passion, and tenacity that come together to truly elevate albums into the world of the truly spectacular. When Forlesen first came around just a few years ago with their debut album, it was clear that they were a band that more than fit the bill for such excellence. With their second, however, the bar has been raised even further.

At some point, too much ambition can be the downfall of any act purely because the vision can be too much to handle from its level of detail to a simple lack of talent in order to bring it to life in a properly fleshed-out form, but anyone familiar with the very name of Forlesen or even any of the bands these members have been involved in should make it clear immediately that this is not a name that has to worry in any form when it comes to a lack of competence. Rather, the talent presented to us with “Black Terrain” is all but jaw-dropping. Across four massive tracks that cover just short of an hour in total runtime, Forlesen’s sophomore creation cannot be seen as anything short of exquisite as we’re given an utterly gorgeous combination of black and doom metal that is all but incredibly enhanced by a strong atmospheric element alongside a tantalizing and calculated use of ambient that all comes together brilliantly to not only satisfy anyone looking for an effort that quickly feels larger than life, but one that grips you by the very soul. Deeply laden with emotion that is all but eviscerating right alongside a tremendous presence that never wavers for even a single moment of its entirety, “Black Terrain” is a creation the likes of which we rarely see, and, fortunately, something that people rarely pass up for any reason. Given the reception that Forlesen’s debut got, I’m more than confident that we can all rest easy knowing that this release is certainly not one that people will let pass them on by.

This is the sort of album that one simply cannot help but lose yourself in and wholly surrender yourself to with naught but excellence at the end of the road, and it’s in every possible form Forlesen meets and exceeds any expectation that one might have before setting foot into this massive effort. All that is “Black Terrain” is a stupendous creation right from the very beginning with every given iota of its magnificence nothing short of astounding for any who find themselves before the monolithic presence that is Forlesen.

“Black Terrain” releases on October 28th via I, Voidhanger Records!

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

LIKE Forlesen on Facebook here.