Slowly but surely, we’ve been seeing extreme metal going in many different directions ever since its inception, and while there have already been loads of different reaches already excavated by daring adventurers, there are always deeper depth to explore for all the terrors and uncertainties that lie within. It takes cunning and a deep understanding of these reaches in order to navigate it all without being lost and then consumed. Despite such risks, plenty of bands emerge out of that unknowable darkness with quality releases the likes of which cannot be forged elsewhere, and that is still a sight we can witness today. Consisting of musicians that are well-acquainted with the unpredictable nothingness, Strigiform shows us how it can still be accomplished in great form with its debut album.

It’s always a lofty goal to try and go for something that isn’t often achieved in whatever sound you’re working with, but, as you might imagine, that’s a concept which is much more easily said than done. You really need to know what you’re doing from beginning to end lest you become absorbed by that which you sought to control and morph to your very will, and we’re lucky to still come across bands that are able to do so in such a form that is as satisfying as it is dynamic. In no small form, that’s precisely what Strigiform brings to the table with its first record, “Aconite”. A creation that twists black metal and many of its contemporary sounds into an avantgarde creation, these six tracks are dabble in the arcane and nebulous while never losing sight of its goals. For everything that “Aconite” brings to the table, genre lines are as blurred as those of reality itself with Strigiform at the helm. Nothing is certain before the might of this record apart from the raw yet undeniably focused ferocity that Strigiform commands with absolute mastery, allowing “Aconite” to become an alluring work of some ulterior dimension that mirrors our own despite its hostilities. This is metal of a singularly peculiar sort as it never settles in one territory for long, preferring to instead meander back and forth in seemingly random directions at times, but never once does Strigiform allow the creation to grow beyond their control, showcasing aptitude indicative of these musicians’ pedigree in other acts while laying down the foundation for further efforts under the banner of Strigiform.

Putting forth a substantially interesting foot forward, it’s here that we’re given the beginning of a band that’s poised itself for great expansion. Already, we see this act demonstrate a tremendous level of understanding with their craft in such a way that is nigh on compelling and downright hypnotic at times with the intensity and power that one could ask for out of metal that dares to be something more. “Aconite” is hopefully just the beginning for Strigiform’s offensives upon the light of this world.

“Aconite” releases on November 14th via I, Voidhanger Records!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Aconite” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Strigiform on Facebook here.

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