We all know a wide variety of bands out there that dare to bring together many different aspects that span the reaches of metal. In every regard, the results understandably vary wildly. It’s not terribly often that we’re met with a band that not only has the daring to bring it all together in such a form that is downright compelling but with such mastery that leaves you on your knees in awe of what’s before you. From day one, Tongues had the makings of such an act with their particular blend of the big three styles of extreme metal that have been slowly evolving over the years. Now, six years after their last album, Tongues has returned in an exquisite form whose power is not to be denied!

At first glance, “Formløse Stjerner” might seem underwhelming given that it only has but four tracks to its name, but it would be immeasurably foolish to dismiss the record for a short tracklist. Making up for that with a run time of just under 40 minutes, including the 16-minute title track, Tongues ensures that this is not a creation that is to leave your consciousness any time soon. “Formløse Stjerner” effortlessly stands as the crowning achievement by Tongues thus far without so much as a thought otherwise as every given minute of this record brings to the table all that Tongues has dared to accomplish beforehand with it all being done with such mastery and precision here that it constantly keeps you enthralled and on the edge of your seat as you wait in extreme anticipation for what comes next. A truly unsettling experience that knows precisely how to get under your skin to allow Tongues to work its evil magics, “Formløse Stjerner” boasts the qualities of density, dissonance, voracious intensity, and a clear understanding of the sound at hand that instantly sets the record apart from both its predecessors as well as the underground at large. There’s nothing about this record that doesn’t deserve to be called one of the year’s most challenging and wondrous creations in every account with Tongues truly coming into their own here with the very fabric of the record the sort that begs you to constantly relive it until you know it beat for beat.

It has been a long time since I’ve come across a record that comes even close to what Tongues has done here. From the sheer density of the album to its dark spirit whose flame burns with real intensity, “Formløse Stjerner” is a piece whose impact is felt within moments after you enter it. The world is for the taking should Tongues continue down the path that has led them here, and I shudder at the prospect of what comes after such a monolithic beast like what we’ve been gifted here.

“Formløse Stjerner” releases on July 28th via I, Voidhanger Records!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Formløse Stjerner” on Bandcamp here.

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