As far as quality goes in the many different corners of the black metal world, atmospheric black metal can often be underestimated due to how oversaturated the sound can feel with lower quality acts more than abundant if you’re not ready to really sift through and find the bands that are worth talking about. For every group of uninteresting names, however, once rises above the rest to become a name nobody has to search for. By now, Nordicwinter is most certainly such an act. Having been on a tremendous streak for the last three years, the Canadian act has been something that anyone paying attention has noticed with the quality only seeming to get better with time. Hands down, Nordicwinter’s latest only furthers that trend.

It would be a stretch for anyone to even come close to claiming that Nordicwinter has taken an approach to atmospheric black metal that few of us have seen before, but it would be well within reason to say that Nordicwinter has proven time after time to be a practical authority on the sound at this point. After sixth full-lengths, six of which coming out since 2020, “This Mournful Dawn” stands as Nordicwinter’s seventh with it arguably being the best one yet. Pumped full of everything that has ever made the style immersive and beautifully macabre in practically every given instance, what Nordicwinter has put forth here is sure to stand amongst the competition as one of the most compelling works of atmospheric black metal that 2023 will have thrown our way with the likes of Fathomage and Vale some of the select few that are able to contend with what “This Mounrful Dawn” accomplishes. Colorful in the right moments but constantly underneath an unmistakable cloak of the shadow of night and death, Nordicwinter’s splendor and power is not something to be defied for once its cold touch comes upon your very soul then Nordicwinter has you precisely where it wants. No matter how may try to wriggle free, the hooks and visages of “This Mournful Dawn” are not easily shaken with Nordicwinter’s prowess undeniable by the time the record comes to a close.

The build-up to this album is something that cannot be understated given how active Nordicwinter has been for the last three years as we’ve seen not just the rate of production increase for the name but the quality as found itself greatly upped as well. Few bands are able to deliver such a thing in a short amount of time while never once failing to put forth displays of power that are not to be ignored, and Nordicwinter just keeps showing us time and again why they are an exception in the underground. For all that “This Mournful Dawn” is, it proves one thing above all else: Nordicwinter is a powerhouse of atmospheric black metal who we should not take lightly.

LISTEN to “This Mournful Dawn” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Nordicwinter on Facebook here.