With the year getting ready to come to a close, many of us are in a scramble to figure out our year-end lists to determine what our favorites of the year are hopefully without forgetting to include releases be they forgotten or coming out close to the finish line. The last six weeks are always particularly interesting for me as I’m always trying to keep aware of albums that sneak in right before the very end to make their own bids for being of the best that the given year has to offer. When Valdrin announced their latest creation, I knew it was certainly going to be a record to check out, but there wasn’t much that could prepare me for what the act summoned for its fourth full-length album with it easily being worthy of one of year’s last great stops for black metal.

Already, Valdrin had poised itself for excellence with this album. Three years ago was when we saw the arrival of “Effigy of Nightmares” that is still quite compelling to this day, and listening to “Throne of the Lunar Soul” really feels as though Valdrin was profoundly pushed to improve upon what was already immense while still advancing the sound into a different direction to ensure that their craft doesn’t stagnate whatsoever. In practically every given form, Valdrin has done nothing but succeed in those endeavors! Eleven tracks of expansive black metal that’s more than a little melodic across its 73-minute runtime, “Throne of the Lunar Soul” is well and truly one of the most captivating releases that 2023 has to sport across all of black metal with all that it dares to be and accomplishes with immense talent, passion, and precision executed glorious at every given turn. Almost always backed by a no less than mystical acoustic guitar that only further enhances the magnificence of the record at large, there isn’t a single aspect of “Throne of the Lunar Soul” that has come forth that’s deserving of being picked apart or replaced in any form. Valdrin has crafted a work that is a true spectacle in every possible form. Whether it’s the melody that pulls you in, the majesty of it all that keeps you through its wondrous halls, the impeccable talent that drives everything forward, or something in-between, there is little to deny the overwhelming and intoxicating power that “Throne of the Lunar Soul” has over its listener.

This is what it means to become undisputed masters of your craft through and through. Valdrin has long been hailed as an act to never once underestimate for all the right reasons with this brand new opus something that should absolutely put them in the spotlight where everyone can really see what they’re capable of. It may have come out very close to the finish and may be on the fence for many because of that, but there’s no doubt in my mind whatsoever – Valdrin has delivered one of 2023’s most astounding and complete creations in all of black metal! “Thrones of the Lunar Soul” stands tall amongst stiff competition, yet it is amidst that very adversity that Valdrin has shone the brightest it ever has.

LISTEN to “Throne of the Lunar Soul” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Valdrin on Facebook here.