It’s no secret that the surge of atmospheric black metal over the years has led to just as many bewildering creations as it has led to more than a few disappointments out there. For every Mesarthim, there are ten that miss the mark in some form. It’s such that you can’t go as much as two weeks without being absolutely inundated by the new entries in the vast underground the scene has carved out for itself, but in no way does that mean there still isn’t wonder to be found for those who find it. Rising out of the world of ambient and into something much darker without cutting those ties, the third album from Phantasos is in every way a creation made for the modern fan of the style and much of what we could ever ask for.

While black metal has long had a close connection to ambient or anything even closely related to that, it doesn’t automatically make for a compelling listen. There is nothing wrong with some proper atmosphere enhanced by digital effects to make for an experience the likes of which black metal has only recently mastered to any degree, but it needs proper hands in order to make the resulting material anything but a snooze that happens to have some black metal thrown in. When it came to its third creation, “Last Shining Breath”, Phantasos achieves what many would deign as a blending of the two styles in such a manner that’s just as gorgeous as it is invigorating and immersive. Far from an effort that pushes the style in any way but, rather, leans further into what has always made the combination such a treat to begin with, the very reality of these seven tracks is naught but sensational for what they manage to bring forward and achieve in exquisite detail on a scale that I know many strive for even after multiple albums and many years of trying. The very whole of “Last Shining Breath” is a fascinating display of what it means to truly reach for the stars and lose yourself in the cosmic explosions of color and dust with undeniable grandeur around every corner with each track giving us a new vision of the infinite becoming all the more gorgeous with each passing minute, making this album, not just one that hopes to make a transition into black metal for Phantasos, but one that already shows clear understanding and mastery of the sound on a magnificent level.

Given what is on full display with this album, I can only hope that Phantasos doesn’t stop its foray into black metal with this album. Everything that could’ve been done right was handled with surprising aptitude and respect for what the style is able to bring to the table, and with how glorious the entirety of “Last Shining Breath” is from its very first, how could one not be left craving for more?

LISTEN to “Last Shining Breath” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Phantasos on Facebook here.