With all the names floating around in the world of atmospheric black metal, it’s only natural that a select few would rise to the top to become true staples of the sound. For some time now, it has been undisputed as to the very status of Enisum throughout the scene. A real icon of what naturalistic and atmospheric black metal is able to be in some of its best forms, Enisum has long been an act to keep a sharp eye on for all that it has accomplished in its 17-year run that churned out multiple albums that caught the attention of many in the scene and far beyond. It has been a long four years of silence from the Italian act, and it’s only fitting that upon their return they would deliver a magnificent creation like what we have here.

Like much of their previous works, it is yet again that we find Enisum deep in the woods where you can find a vast swathe of what much of the world of atmospheric black metal calls home with this group, in particular, more than at home within the branches and beside the snow-capped mountains where only few venture. It is up the slopes of those very mountains that we see Enisum ascend with this newest effort, “Forgotten Mountains”, with themes of man climbing to the highest of peaks in order to discover the very meaning of its own being, and it should go without saying that Enisum is the perfect vessel to bring such a concept to life. There’s no way that any of us can deny the very credibility that Enisum has solidified for itself up to this point and it’s with all that’s brought forth for “Forgotten Mountains” that it must be said that the status quo has definitely been maintained, and while that can feel boring to some people, I find it reassuring. There’s a reason that Enisum has gotten to the point that it has with its reputation undisputed mastery over its specific brand of atmospheric black metal, and it has only gotten better with time as Enisum is downright captivating in its boldest moments and hauntingly intimate in their smallest with all of that once again coming together beautifully to make “Forgotten Mountains” another highlight for this illustrious discography.

So much could have been done to this record in many different ways given the last work from Enisum came out pre-pandemic which could’ve made this record quite a different beast altogether, but it’s through its sheer will of perseverance and passion for the style that enables Enisum to succeed yet again. The massive expanse that “Forgotten Mountains” calls home should be more than enough for any fan of both Enisum and atmospheric black metal as a whole with the entire album a textbook example of greatness for the sound from cover to cover.

“Forgotten Mountains” releases on February 17th via Avantgarde Music!

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