It’s always nice to have more than a little of any good thing, but too much of a good thing can turn around for the worse in any instant for any reason. The very combination of the world of black and death metal is a perfect embodiment of such given the massive amount of promise that’s always possible within the sound, but the sheer volume of the sound can often get in its own way of dark glory. But it is every so often that an entity manages to rise out of that unending darkness that stands out in such a way that puts to shame all of the surrounding rabble that isn’t able to do much more than barely tap into the potential of what black-death metal is capable of. With what’s somehow their debut effort, Serpent of Old has made an entrance that I cannot call anything less than enormous!

From what I’ve noticed, it’s typically older names from within the world of black-death that surprise us more often than not given the time that they have put in really heightening the talent over the years to make for truly standout performances. Thus, when a new name comes forth that accomplishes real glory, you can easily color me more than a little interested in most occasions with the rare name leaving me truly impressed. Hands down, Serpent of Old has impressed me more than any act in the world of black-death metal in far too long. This Turkish act can only be deemed as a supreme result of the influence that many large names in the genre with all that went into “Ensemble Under the Dark Sun” precisely what makes for material that stands as the best in any given year. Compromised of six dark tracks that really do feel as though they were brewed and brought together under the midday darkness of an unending total eclipse, Serpent of Old has crafted an experience that really takes into consideration all the promise that the very style has going for it at any given time with the very power, tenacity, and focused intensity on display for the whole of these forty-two minutes. Individually, these tracks effortlessly stand strong all on their own, but it is when they are brought together that “Ensemble Under the Dark Sun” becomes a band’s first statement that is as bold as it is unyielding in all that it can be. It’s not just a promising start from an interesting act; it’s the first splash of blood upon the cold ground that is only the beginning of tainting everything in sight with steaming red.

Anytime we get a band like this, it is always viciously tempting to say that the future looks immensely promising should the conquering waves of the band in question come into full effect. I find myself feeling that very same way with all that Serpent of Old has brought forth here with everything that has gone into this record making for an effort that is sure to be a constant for me for the rest of year and beyond with it all but destined to become one of my favorites of 2023 after spending days under this band’s direct pressure. There is naught but macabre, darkly lit magnificence to be found within the confines of “Ensemble Under the Dark Sun”, and I can only implore you to join me in the unending shade to experience all that is on display here.

“Ensemble Under the Dark Sun” releases on June 30th via Transcending Obscurity Records!

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “Ensemble Under the Dark Sun” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Serpent of Old on Facebook here.