Despite what I know some others may feel about what black metal can bring to the table, there’s so much space for emotion other than supposed raged pointed in all sorts of directions even if there are plenty of instances where such a thing is more than fitting. It can be quite a bleak style that never once shies from tapping into the colder and more somber aspects of the human condition to the point that we now find ourselves wondrously surrounded by such acts that are able to deliver on that front in magnificent fashion. Slowly becoming a name that demands respect in this corner of black metal, Vale demonstrates a deep understanding of that and their craft within their fourth album.

It was within Vale’s previous effort from 2023, “A Senseless Procession”, that we saw the Pennsylvanian act do more than simply tap into what this style can be when it pulls back to show off a tremendous scope of skill through atmosphere and emotion that layer on top of each other magnificently to become something that beckons you to fully succumb to. That record saw Vale at an undeniable peak as it rose through the underground, and it was anyone’s guess what could have followed next. Somehow, what’s to be found within the upcoming fourth album, “No Tomorrow Worth Seeing”, we see Vale fall even further back into its atmosphere for a contrast to its scathing black metal that strip-mines the soul for maximum impact, never once leaving so much as an inkling of light to be given a foothold. Truly gorgeous in its nearly tear-inducing musings on suffering and isolation in a world that seems to have lost all meaning for one reason or another, the black metal here is simply exquisitely dreary and captivating from beginning to end as Vale pulls from all of its previous experience to make for a performance that lingers on the mind, echoing between your ears even long after you’ve finally put the record down. It’s the unexpected lingering majesty of “No Tomorrow Worth Knowing” that gets to you the most. The day quickly seems a little less bright once Vale has concluded its performance, yet, despite all that suffering and pain, there is beauty to be found in the dim light.

An intense listen that asks you to understand the fading of goodness from the world and sharing in the suffering that we all feel in some form or another, what Vale brings to the table here is nigh on impactful and downright soul-touching for what it attempts to summon from the depths of the human mindset. Vale has been a name to respect for years now, yet it’s with all that is “No Tomorrow Worth Knowing” that we find ourselves before a true master of the craft coming into his own.

“No Tomorrow Worth Knowing” releases on March 28th via Fiadh Productions!

LISTEN to Vale on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Vale on Facebook here.