In the current state of the underground, I think it’s safe to make the claim that the musicians are more involved than ever before given the sheer breadth of talent out there that find themselves spread across several different bands to show us all that they can do. As such, when one act comes to a close, another act can surge into focus for an artist who’s juggling different creations at any given time. It was only last year that Unsouling made its debut, but with the departure of its sister act of Feral Light, it’s already the case that Unsouling has its second album to throw down as its mastermind has a renewed focus with lots of intrigue to match the opportunity.

A new name comes with it an entirely new world of possibilities. Often, we see some go for the throat more so than others as they hop across genre lines in an effort to try something different and really challenge themselves to see what they can do. It’s ambitious and fraught with danger if you’re not ready for such a transition, but those that dwell in the underground rarely have only a single trick up their sleeves as they tend to be hardy and undeniably creative. Embodying those ideals to tremendous effect, it’s through a solid level of experimentation and loads of frenetic energy, Unsouling went all-in to give “Outward Streams of Devotional Woe” a life all its own. This is a creation that’s simply overflowing with character and brought to life magnificently through an understanding of the craft that embraces Unsouling’s experimental nature to really allow all sorts of different approaches to flourish unabated. Equally capable of expansive passages of terror as well as surprising melodies with an intoxicated sort of bounce, “Outward Streams of Devotional Woe” is as much the next step in the evolution for Unsouling as much as it is a creation that sees an artist pushing himself into bold new territory. Not allowing himself to be restricted by his previous creations or the typical structures of the underground, it’s in these seven tracks that Unsouling discovers a special kind of liberation that sees the spirit flutter high into a black nothingness where anything feels possible.

As if shedding its skin to uncover something fresh and raw to the world, it’s in its second album that Unsouling went all-in to deliver unto an experience that is distinctly its own and it should go without saying that practically every given moment of this record has reached that goal. Even well after it comes to a close, the hypnotic cacophony that “Outward Streams of Devotional Woe” commands permeate your very being. It’s a masterclass example of what it means to make a stark change in direction and offer something that challenges both your listeners and you as an artist. Without exception, Unsouling should be proud of what it has crafted here.

“Outward Streams of Devotional Woe” releases on October 3rd via I, Voidhanger Records!

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “Outward Streams of Devotional Woe” on Bandcamp here.

FOLLOW Unsouling on Instagram here.