Already, the world of extreme metal is utterly beset by viciously talented musicians that not only know their way around a few instruments but are downright determined to conquer as many of the different branches that the tree of metal has to offer. Whether it’s doom, black, death metal, or anything in between, there’s a select group of multi-instrumentalists who manage to impress at what feels like every turn despite the odds never once being in their favor even as their portfolios become more diverse and impress with virtually every passing year. Sebastian Montesi may not be a name that many of us are familiar with when compared to the likes of Gabriele Gramaglia, but it doesn’t take a keen eye to realize he’s on the very cusp of being put on that same level. Having already impressed us in bands like Auroch and Mitochondrion as well as others, it’s now with the debut of Atemporal that we’re about to see a side of Montesi that shouldn’t be seen as vigorously engaging and impressive right out of the gate.

Already, we find ourselves swarmed by a number of acts throughout the underground that dare to undertake the immense task of honoring the classic sound of black metal while simultaneously pushing themselves and the craft to make something bold, fresh, and powerful with its own identity. That requires taking on an immense load from all angles as it takes truly exceptional talent to pursue such a lofty goal and a focused vision to bring it to life in a form that is compelling to the touch. Just one step into the realm that has been crafted here for Atemporal’s debut and it becomes exceedingly clear that “Thorn Genesis” surpasses any and all expectations in such regard! Six challenging works that are out for blood the moment you find yourself before the very presence of Atemporal with the exquisite power and precise musical know-how of building up the excellence to a tantalizing degree, this is an effort that pushes black metal as much as it does its maker. There was nothing that was left on the table in the crafting of “Thorn Genesis” with its winding passages weaving together in a gripping fashion that feels downright magical in precise moments with there being just as many macabre beauties as there are unforgiving horrors should you take even just one wrong turn. Carried on deathly wings that give the record a specific air of being teleported to a dimension that morphs to the very will of Atemporal, “Thorn Genesis” is an exercise in what it means to make a sound that is wholly your own. Montesi executes it gloriously with its base of Lovecraftian ideals compounded by a raw but tempered sense of black metal that is constructed gorgeously at damn near every angle without so much as a blemish in sight from what I can tell. If this isn’t the sign we needed to consider Montesi as another modern craftsman that works real magic with his material then I don’t know what else it would take to convince.

While it may be some time before we hear from the name of Atemporal again given the other acts that Montesi is a part of, I would happily wait ten years for a follow-up to what’s been here with “Thorn Genesis” if that is how long it would take. Works like this are truly few and far between with ingenuity pouring out of every facet with there being something to fawn over should you simply allow the album to take you wherever it may. Should you, then I guarantee that the sights of “Thorn Genesis” will be of the sort that can be considered downright transcendent.

“Thorn Genesis” releases on April 7th via I, Voidhanger Records!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Thorn Genesis” on Bandcamp here.