The evolution of a band is one thing, but the evolution of a single visionary is something else entirely. Many times have I said that we live in a glorious age where there are just some people throughout the underground that simply cannot be stopped when it comes to their constant output of material that warps the mind and delivers quality undeniable. For years now, Gabriele Garmalgia (who from here on out my tired fingers will refer to as GG) has been a go-to name in my experience for such talent. Without a shred of compromisation, the man has done great work in acts like Cosmic Putrefaction just to name one other act he’s in. It is here, though, that GG has put together what’s arguably his most complete creation to date virtually without a doubt.

We could sit here and try to compare both Vertebra Atlantis and this particular album with others that have come before it, but to do so for even an instant would be a tragic mistake. Not only is this a creation that is more than deserving tall entirely on its own without a shred of compromisation, “A Dialogue with the Eeriest Sublime” is apart from everything that’s come before including the debut from Vertebra Atlantis, “Lustral Purge in Cerulean Bliss”. Everything about this record was taken up a notch to offer us not just an impressive display of mastery that covers a wide spectrum of what GG has long been known to be capable of, the seven tracks of this album really do stand as some of his most impressive yet. Dissonant but not afraid to fall into the cataclysmic riffs, “A Dialogue with the Eeriest Sublime” is a magnificently dense creation that works on multiple levels, knows how to bring about some of the best of what black-death is able to deliver, and shows us just how far GG has come as an undeniable mastermind of extreme metal the likes of which many aspire to be with extremely few able to ascend to such grand heights. A true deluge of excellence that never stops giving in any form, Vertebra Atlantis exudes overwhelming dominance over the sound at every given turn. This is what come about when certifiable mastery is taken to lengths that are not to be denied whatsoever with “A Dialogue with the Eeriest Sublime” capitalizing on that very glory with shame nor should it.

Every year offers us grand works of any particular sound with there being many different names out there throughout the underground that impressive us for one reason or another, GG manages to remain a constant. If 2022 was the year for Cosmic Putrefaction with “Crepuscular Dirge for the Blessed Ones” then it is 2023 that solely belongs to Vertebra Atlantis as “A Dialogue with the Eeriest Sublime” doesn’t disappoint for all that it dares to accomplish! The argument is easily made for this being the most impressive and all-consuming creation of GG in all of its macabre grandeur, and I would love to see someone try to argue otherwise for that would be a task of monolithic proportions given all that’s taken place here.

“A Dialogue with the Eeriest Sublime” releases on October 20th via I, Voidhanger Records!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “A Dialogue with the Eeriest Sublime” on Bandcamp here, or via YouTube below.

LIKE Vertebra Atlantis on Facebook here.