For all intents and purposes for as long as black metal has been around, those original veins of the genre have long been sought after by those who have sought to bring dark justice to the genre. Whether it’s new names or veteran bastions, there’s always unholy greatness to be had for those who dwell in deep misanthropy with there being legions behind them seeking to achieve those very heights in the cold north. We’ve seen plenty come and achieve that very thing many times over, but to witness it unfurl before our eyes is still to find ourselves utterly bewildered. With their fifth album, Vananidr accomplishes excellence yet again.

While outright copying of the original sound is always an option, very rarely does such a strategy lend itself to success especially when it requires real masters to pull off in the first place. As such, it can oftentimes be the case that the best way to bring about such flavors is to make them your own while still preserving their notes, accents, and tendencies to ensure that the core values are still very much the same even if the approach and outward visage are different. In the case of Vananidr, we see that done in spectacular fashion yet again from a band that has done nothing but show us precisely how that’s done time and time again. Right from the beginning, “In Silence Descent” makes damn sure that everyone knows this isn’t another generic creation of the genre in any form. Rather, taking the DNA of black metal and infusing it with the mastery, personality, and finesse that the members of Vananidr have garnered over the years, “In Silence Descent” is a whirlwind of freezing wind of the northern-most mountains that hold naught but contempt for mankind while always infusing its spells with magic the likes of which only immense black metal can bring to the table. Vananidr has been a name to respect since its arrival not too long ago, but it is singularly here that the name is cemented as one that demands respect and worship for all that it strives to be seemingly without breaking a single sweat.

Fall into the hypnotic melodies, become captivated by the raw fury that drives the work, become one with black metal of an ilk on the finest in Scandinavia can produce; “In Silence Descent” is a masterclass of black metal!

“In Silence Descent” releases on October 25th via Avantgarde Music!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “In Silence Descent” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Vananidr on Facebook here.