I don’t know about you, but I find myself pleasantly surprised by what the realm of black-doom has been putting forth lately. We’re far from any sort of renaissance for the style but given how scant and sparce the sound can feel at times, it’s a wonder to see what this corner of the underground is dishing out. With the latest from Lightless impressing and new Hell just on the horizon, black-doom fans have some excellent material to become lost within, but there’s always a need for more and there’s certainly room to accommodate. Now, with their first full-length effort and a return after six years, Loathfinder joins those two aforementioned bastions of darkness to show us still what black-doom is going through currently.

A hallmark of this corner of the metal spectrum is how truly hellish the material comes across. A suffocating blend that leaves no room for hope, light, or salvation wherever you may find yourself throughout the sound with the effects similarly hopeless and carnivorous to the spirit itself, it can sometimes seem that there’s not much wiggle room for those who want to leave their mark upon the sound. Loathfinder has been damned good at bringing their own flavors to the mix since their debut eight years ago, and it’s here within the seven fiery tracks of “Broken Branches and Torn Roots” that we bear witness to Loathfinder well and truly coming into their own. Fully realizing their vision and masterfully fleshing out their own brand of maddening darkness, this is a record that has you constantly coming back for more as there’s something so devilishly seductive about what’s at play here. Just as reliant on the scathing speed of what black metal can deliver while always ensuring to come back to the crushing patience of doom, “Broken Branches and Torn Roots” has a tremendous amount of sprawl when it comes to precisely what it’s capable of. More than proficient in the way of the riff as well as an overwhelming dirge of intensity that leaves nothing on the table in ways of mercy, Loathfinder taps into an exceedingly dynamic side of the style that many may not initially expect with the results no less than bombastic and captivating for all that’s dared within these seven tracks.

It’s a real joy to watch black-doom be given the opportunity to really stretch its legs and flex its muscles in such a way that feels satisfying and organic to bear witness to, and even though I have found myself but a handful of such creations in recent weeks, creations like what we have here must be hailed for all that they are. Loathfinder strove to really push their craft to become the best that it can possibly be, and to find yourself within the glistening darkness of “Broken Branches and Torn Roots” is to come before a dense work that has loads to offer should you simply take the plunge. This style has always had much to offer those who dare to challenge its madness. From the beginning, Loathfinder has been a name to watch, but it’s here they’ve truly become a name to respect.

“Broken Branches and Torn Roots” releases on May 30th via Godz ov War Productions!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Broken Branches and Torn Roots” on Bandcamp here or via YouTube below.

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