There have been quite several bands out there that have come around in the last ten years that, for one reason or another, have caused substantial debate and side-taking in the many different circles that inhabit the metal underground. It tends to be bands that go against the grain and get widespread attention that are the subject of such debates, and fewer bands have been the focus of such conversations in black metal as Uada. Since day one, it has felt like Uada has been the focus of much debate with there being plenty of people on both sides of the argument even as the act marches forward as they evolve their particular breed of unyielding black metal. In the three years since their last effort, it should go without saying that Uada was hard at work with a new effort with this fresh piece certainly something that catches the attention and will certainly re-spark the debates.

When we talk about bands evolving their sound over the years, plenty of names come to mind as plenty shift their focus altogether to find themselves in a completely different style after just a few years, and Uada certainly deserves to be named as one such act. Their brand of black metal has retained its core values such that this fourth record certainly feels like their most complete work yet, but its form has shifted into a cosmic-like being that is not easily pinned down but, rather, picked up on from different notes and flavors that grace every given moment of “Crepuscule Natura”. The melodies that have been present by the band from its debut are still very much present in these five tracks along with the unrelenting power that Uada has become all but known for as it feels incredibly condensed for the whole of the record, but its scope feels far more expansive at the same time. Nothing is left to chance in the 41 minutes of “Crepuscule Natura” as the mastery over their sound and their clear capacity to wrap in all in an unmistakable layer of quality, I won’t be surprised if many hail this as Uada’s most flavorful effort yet and of the best 2023 has thrown our way be it in terms of black metal or beyond. Much like their smoke-wreathed live performances, the mystery reaches much deeper than the superficial with the power of the sort that pulls you deeper into a dark kaleidoscope that is hard to pin down at every given turn, and time has only made their magic deeper and harder to unravel on each level you descend to.

Dense but no less than enrapturing should you let the record sink its hooks into you, Uada has made for another potent creation that is sure to scratch the itch of many who come into contact with its deep mysteries of which Uada is slowly becoming more and more known for. There’s much to unpack within the night skies that “Crepsucule Natura” inhabits, but nothing can ever ignore the fact that this is an act for the modern era of black metal in the best possible way as they continuously defy expectations each and every time.

“Crepuscule Natura” releases on September 8th via Eisenwald!

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “Crepuscule Natura” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Uada on Facebook here.