The very voices of the ancient world have long held a place in many corners of metal music, but it is in relatively few instances that we get a performance that succeeds in bringing it all forward in a meaningful capacity with attention to detail and care that such concepts deserve. When it is done competently, we’re constantly given creations that leave the listener astounded and well-impressed no matter if it comes from a new fledgling act or certified veterans. In the case of Olde Throne, we see the New Zealand act come back around quickly after their first full-length album just last year, and it’s clear with this effort that their passion has put them on a path to glory in the underground.

It’s hard to make any sort of headway in your sound when your next effort comes out a mere thirteen months after its predecessor, but you could pick any given track from “In the Land of Ghosts” and know for a fact that Olde Throne has come an incredibly long way in a very short time with all the splendor and wow-factor that comes with it. With a fierce melodic factor that permeates practically every given minute of this striking black metal that is more than capable of embracing its more folk-influenced tendencies to make for a truly dynamic performance, “In the Land of Ghosts” is a captivating performances that holds nothing back and always waits for the perfect moment to strike. The very spirits of the fjords, mountains, rivers, and woods come to life as Olde Throne puts their focus on grim storytelling laden with ancient ghosts and other ethereal fiends that have made their way into the very traditions of Scotland. Thematically and stylistically, Olde Throne has made for an incredibly potent album that feels as though it never misses its mark. Everything about the record from its approach to the cover art pays homage to much of what this vein of black metal has always been about while the incredible quality of the music itself stands out from the crowd effortlessly with “In the Land of Ghosts” putting Olde Throne a significant cut above the rest of the competition for all that they’ve dared to bring forward with virtually all of its pulled off without so much as a hitch.

If this is what Olde Throne is able to bring forth after barely a year since their first proper performance, I can only fathom what they’ll be capable of with the boon of even more time. Efforts like “In the Land of Ghosts” are few and far between where black metal and folk come together in magnificent fashion with hardly a blemish in sight to make the record not just a noteworthy one, but something that shows us that Olde Throne is more than worthy of our attention and respect.

LISTEN to “In the Land of Ghosts” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Olde Throne on Facebook here.