The concept of black metal that manages to capture autumnal majesty where everything out in the woods feel just a bit more magical as if the very spirits become more active at the very changing of the leaves is something that many have tried their best to emulate with incredibly few able to capture it in any meaningful way. It constantly carries a specific type of magic that is damn near impossible to pin down anywhere else in the world of metal with incredibly few able to deliver a performance that is able to really capitalize on all that the concept is able to bring forth. Not even two years after their last full-length album, Krigsgrav’s swift return is a potent one that does not miss its mark in such categories.

While I would find it quite dubious to draw direct comparisons from what Krigsgrav has done here with “Fires in the Fall” and compare to a masterclass band like Agalloch, the similarities that certainly there and I don’t think that’s on accident. Plenty of the same notes and topics are hit throughout the seven tracks. With each having more than enough to call its own, this is not a record that is content to sit in one place for long much less tread the same area more than twice lest the potency of the record be dragged down. Krigsgrav knew precisely what they were going for with the creation of this album that stands as a much more dynamic and organic creation compared to the well-lauded predecessor, and it is every given facet of “Fires in the Fall” that lends to such credit. Embodying plenty of the black metal tendencies of the band while never once forgetting to add some doom and death metal elements for good effect, what we’re presented with boasts the rarely seen feat of bringing everything together in a competent form and making it quite the beautiful and capturing piece in more instances than one. It’s brought together to make for captivating riffs, splendid backdrops where the fires lick the skies, soulful passages that are well and truly unexpecting, and a real sense of enchantment that elevates “Fires in the Fall” to a much higher standard than what I think many could have asked from Krigsgrav.

Having been active for almost twenty years now, it’s not surprising to see Krigsgrav be a real force to be reckoned with after all this time, yet I don’t think many of us could have expected a turn such a this in all that it is. A real eclectic blend that has so much to offer should you simply come before its inviting flames, “Fires in the Fall” has much more to offer within its depths than you would expect.

“Fires in the Fall” releases on June 23rd via Wise Blood Records!

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “Fires in the Fall” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Krigsgrav on Facebook here.