Even as time moves forward and more eyes are turned to the style, funeral doom metal still presents itself as nigh on impenetrable in the eyes of many with it still being up to long-solidified names to keep its excellence going year after year. We are slowly starting to see more come into the sound with how much it has to offer, but it often feels it’s solely from acts like The Howling Void that we’re still able to see what the sound is capable of even after all these years with this name, in particular, showing us what it can be. After coming into existence fifteen years ago and an undeniably consistent source of quality for the style, the eighth full-length album from The Howling Void continues the band’s trend of not pulling any punches and keeping the bar at a magnificent high.

At this point, I’m left here wondering if there is almost even a point to reviewing something from the likes of The Howling Void given that each release isn’t just “another” piece of funeral doom that is worth listening to for all the right reasons, we’re always presented with an exceptional piece in more ways than one. It’s such that you can practically guarantee that each new effort from The Howling Void would be fascinating in its own right, but to simply wave off such a creation without giving it the credit it is due would be equal to passing it by without so much as a glance in my eyes. I refuse to let such a fate befall “Into Darkness Ever More Profound”. Four tracks that continue the work of The Howling Void in exquisite fashion while never once dropping the ball when it comes to massive, evocative atmospheres that manage to really pierce the soul and deliver heaviness the likes of which this style was always made for, the eighth effort from this name is far its smallest or least compelling. Filled with warm colors as well as containing deep passages of harsh, soul-wrenching emotion that embodies the very best of what funeral doom has always been known for, “Into Darkness Ever More Profound” is an all but fitting title for such an effort as we’re able to witness The Howling Void go even further into glory in the halls of funeral doom metal with these four massive pieces coming together for a tremendous experience that only further proved the mastery that’s been at play here for years now.

When we’re dealing with a name as clearly talented and self-proven as The Howling Void, each new success can very easily become the expectation and, thus, not have as much luster in the eyes of many despite the magnificence that’s before them. I proclaim, though, that the lust of The Howling Void will never wear off so long as it simply stays the course. What this band has accomplished up to this point is nothing short of what underground royalty is built out of with “Into Darkness Ever More Profound” but the last testament to such a truth.

“Into Darkness Ever More Profound” releases on January 6th via Funere!

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “Into Darkness Ever More Profound” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE The Howling Void on Facebook here.