Slowly but surely, we’re seeing orchestral implementation and experimentation taking place in the world of extreme metal. For those unfamiliar with such an idea, it sounds downright alien and unachievable by all accounts given how different the two can be, but it’s been over the decades and proved many times over in one spectacular vision after another that just a union is absolutely possible, but it must be put in the hands of the capable. Luckily, the capable tend to also be the hands of the curious who dare to try new things and attempt something new that really allows one’s vision to sound truly unique when compared to others even as we see this concoction appearing more. One might think we’ve seen all there is to offer, but all it takes is one more example to come around and tear down such a notion. As if delivered by the universe to do just that, the debut from Skythala is damn near the perfect example of a work that proves such in exquisite fashion.

This is just one of those sounds that no matter what you do and no matter what bands you’ve heard before, it takes the changing of just one factor and suddenly you’re met with a completely different beast altogether. The implementation of a single instrument or discard of another can make for a wildly different result with the experience as a whole morphing to adjust to such a change, and it’s in the case of the debut album from Skythala, “Boreal Despair”, that we’re met with another fantastic rendition of this deadly combination in the obscure corners of extreme metal with the six tracks here offering us an experience the likes of which only a handful are able to even come close to. With riffs that both are born out of and give way to complex orchestration that feels like a schism of the very soul as the light of day flickers before the very might of Skythala, any single piece from “Boreal Despair” is enough to entice one into the dense regions of the unknown and uncertain as Skythala are clearly more than adept at delivering a vision that’s as hard to digest as it is wondrous to fall into. This is a creation that absolutely walks the line that many others in this vein have many times before, but with their specific brand of ingenuity and neoclassical approach that invokes thoughts of Russian works, Skythala has crafted a record that is more than worthy of being talked about when it comes to creations in this style for all that they are with this being a debut that definitely sets an interesting precedent as we move forward.

A supremely layered and kaleidoscope-like sound that is never content to sit in one place for long to really let Skythala throw their weight around properly on their first release, this is something that should not be looked down upon in any form. This is the kind of madness that many would love to craft even once in their lifetime, and yet it’s with all that was brought forward in “Boreal Despair” that I can’t help but feel as though this is just the first layer of what Skythala is truly able to bring to the table.

“Boreal Despair” releases on November 18th via I, Voidhanger Records!

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

LIKE Skythala on Facebook here.