When we think of black metal taken into different directions, we really live in an age where that can mean so many different things whether we like it or not. The different avenues from which different bands travel down constantly are of the sort that can really keep one guessing at every possible turn with acts like Arkheth and Blut aus Nord but two notable acts that have become known for doing just that through an experimental nature. There’s always enough room for another name to rise out of nothingness and show us what they can bring to the table even if the odds of something striking aren’t all that great. From the same collective that houses the likes of Ungfell, Kvelgeyst, and Dakhma, Ophanim rises to bring forth quite a potent offering that has much more to show off than one might expect from a debut creation.

With the very name Ophanim being able to be traced back quite easily to a Biblical origin, you would be forgiven if you expected the material of Ophanim to be at least spiritual in nature with that being a theme that black metal has never once shied away from. But, in an odd but welcome turn, Ophanim takes only a few pages in terms of influence from those origins to bring a deeply personal performance to the table for their debut album, “T​ä​mpelskl​ä​ng”. Fueled by an ecstasy born out of a natural curiosity that drive the very spirit of Ophanim off into different realms where one can quickly become lost, the four tracks that all clock in over ten minutes long definitely go against the grain for what many would expect from black metal as “T​ä​mpelskl​ä​ng” has tendencies to go into the light rather than away from it with their being such pure emotions to be had in all that Ophanim puts forth. Ethereal to the core but no less than immensely capable of showing off raw power that is not to be underestimated, the ebbs and flows of “T​ä​mpelskl​ä​ng” are simply awe-inspiring to lose yourself in as the record often takes on a psychedelic visage to further heighten the sense that Ophanim has channeled energies not of our plane of existence to bring such a creation about.

Compelling from the onset and no less than wondrous to sit all the way through, Ophanim really has made something exceptional for their debut performance. It goes against the grain just enough to keep things interesting without becoming something difficult to lose yourself in, “T​ä​mpelskl​ä​ng” has loads of personality and splendor to behold should you simply step into its warm light and see all that it has to offer. To witness what Ophanim has achieved here is to witness something black metal doesn’t often dish out, and I consider myself lucky to have seen its light.

“T​ä​mpelskl​ä​ng” releases on November 24th via Eisenwald!

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “T​ä​mpelskl​ä​ng” on Bandcamp here.

Ophanim does not have a social media platform that I could find, but Ophanim is a member of the Helveltic Underground Commitee, so to keep up with Ophanim LIKE H.U.C. on Facebook here.