The underground is truly a wondrous beast. Perpetually, there are names that are keeping things going strong in their own right, but there are always names that know precisely what they’re doing that almost seem to revel in operating solely from the shadows even if their material is viciously popular and the sort of thing that people will always come back to hear more of. While many of us are rightfully digging into the surprise release from Spectral Lore, it’s within the confines of what Bloodbark brings for their anticipated second full-length album that we see the concept taken to an extreme that can almost never be replicated to such a degree. In no small way, a true bastion of black metal has returned to us.

Given the reputation that this band made for itself with a singular album almost seven years ago, I think anyone would be forgiven if they didn’t foresee this comeback given the deafening silence that this enigmatic act puts forward constantly. Yet, this is the sort of record that one cannot help but fall into almost instantly as this is atmospheric black metal that cannot be compared to much else out in the entirety of the scene. While still tapping into much of what the sound can be with real expertise and more than enough mastery to keep us rooted in place time and time again, it’s in practically every given minute of “Sacred Sound of Solitude” that we see Bloodbark branch out and infuse external flavors to create their own brand of atmospheric black metal. Never once does it pervert the core ideals of what the style has always been, but, rather, showcases precisely what kind of band we’re working with here. Between the expansive realms, the cold air upon your skin, and the singularly staggering display of mastery that Bloodbark demonstrates with all the different flavors at play here, “Sacred Sound of Solitude” was destined for greatness even in its earliest stages. Hauntingly beautiful and the righteous representation of nature that atmospheric black metal has always been damn good at delivering, the return of Bloodbark is as sweet as it is timely.

This is one of those events that really gets people clamoring, and it’s beyond pleasing to see that the return of Bloodbark as certainly sent ripples throughout the community. A name that has been worthy of our attention from day one, it’s with all that’s been summoned within “Sacred Sound of Solitude” that one’s knees cannot help but buckle as the majestic mastery washes over you wholly. However long it takes for Bloodbark to return yet again, the whole of “Sacred Sound of Solitude” is far more than enough to keep us enthralled until then. And really, Bloodbark has proven to be more than worthy of whatever time they may require for a third opus.

LISTEN to “Sacred Sound of Solitude” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Bloodbark on Facebook here.