There are just some things in the world that work almost too well. Metal has no shortage of matching themes, approaches, styles, concepts, etc. that are able to come together in a single package and deliver on such a consistent level that it almost doesn’t matter who’s bringing it to the table. Almost. You still need to bring in a certain level of imagination and no small amount of talent no matter what you’re hoping to deliver. Black metal is far from exempt to such a rule, and that goes doubly so for Tolkien-inspired black metal. Already there has been so much done in this sound, yet it still has much to offer in terms of excellence should the right name come along. For all that’s summoned throughout its second album, One of Nine easily proves itself as a name that’s more than right for the job.

The sheer vast potential that Tolkien still has in the world of black metal simply cannot be overstated. The sprawling world and numerous stories that the legendary author created are still a pillar in much of the black metal environment, but it’s not terribly often that we’re given a performance that’s able to tap into that very potential and craft a work that’s as truthful to the source material as it is captivating to listen to. While I was relatively confident that Anfauglir’s album from this year would be the definitive highlight of Tolkien black metal, it’s with everything throughout “Dawn of the Iron Shadow” that One of Nine has put forth an extremely powerful counterargument to such a thought. Melodic and undeniably captivating for its retellings of great battles, warriors felled, beasts conquered, and darkness seemingly unstoppable, each of these eight tracks is irresistible in their prowess and potency even as One of Nine seeks to pull back and offer the listener sublime moments of fleeting peace to contrast the overwhelming evil that looms ever overhead. “Dawn of the Iron Shadow” wastes no time and knows not how to miss its mark. Middle-Earth comes to life in exquisite form with One of Nine at the helm. It’s not too fancy but overflowing with flavor, and it would be an outright disservice to everything pulled off here to claim that anything less than magnificence has been achieved. In damn near every instance, One of Nine makes this record an absolute spectacle.

It must be experienced by any fan of Tolkien black metal that’s been waiting for their next hit to keep them sated and enthralled for months on end and years down the line. There’s much to find throughout “Dawn of the Iron Shadow”. You need only take the first step and embark on an adventure through darkness whose magic won’t leave you any time soon.

LISTEN to “Dawn of the Iron Shadow” on Bandcamp here.

FOLLOW One of Nine on Instagram here.