Given time, most bands can produce material the likes of which can really astonish and astound. We’ve seen that happen many times over with there being loads of bands out there who have had gaps in the release schedules for a litany of possible reasons with their return always something that gets at least a few people excited to see the name return with material that, hopefully, is indicative of the amount of time it took to put the pieces together. It’s been a hot minute since Darkestrah came upon us with a new full-length album and three years since their last EP, but now the wait is finally over with their seventh full-length album easily making up for such a lapse in activity.

Much like a fine wine that needs time in order to mature and become the best sensation that it can possibly be, it truly does seem as though Darkestrah has managed to tap into something quite special when they were putting this effort together. Still very much so adhering to the core values that have always propelled them forward with a shamanistic sound born out of Asian heritage that is always as the forefront of the intense black metal whether the listener is aware of it or not, “Nomad” sees things come a gripping peak. Over forty-five minutes of intense black metal that seeks to coat the land in blood as much as it desires to honor the memories of its ancestors, Darkestrah has been a growing name in the underground for some time now yet it’s with the power, the melodies, and the fury that are to be found within “Nomad” that I simply cannot help but feel as though Darkestrah has come upon a new level the likes of which we’ve only been salivating for. Taking the best of what they’ve always been capable of and cranking it all up from the atmosphere to the intoxication to be found from beginning to end, “Nomad” is almost assuredly destined to become a keystone album in Darkestrah’s discography.

Whatever it is that this band dishes out next whenever it comes around, it is going to have to bring a lot to the table if it is to even hope to come close to what “Nomad” has accomplished. The return is Darkestrah is something that is ever so sweet to see with it really feeling like one of the very best in the underground of pagan metal has come back to show us how it’s done with every given moment of this record something that is to be hailed for the glory that it brings.

“Nomad” releases on March 29th via Osmose Productions!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Nomad” via YouTube here or below.

LIKE Darkestrah on Facebook here.