Mysticism and a fantastical edge are just some of the things that metal has long been striving for across many of its different styles, and there are few things that compare to when it’s executed damn well. Black metal, in particular, is rife with potential for such excellence. It’s something that many are more than happy to try, and some are able to tap into that magical power, yet incredibly few are able to really embody what the sound can become. Drawing from its past experience in revered acts to make for a potent debut, Lunar Amulet’s arrival offers us a masterful showcase of what it means to deliver black metal of that particular variety.

The magic of the night is something that we can all have some sort of relation with. Whether it’s the sight of snow falling gently in the moonlight or the serenity of the forest in the wee hours of the morning, there’s so much splendor and majesty to be had in such a landscape with it being something that has inspired many black metal artists over the decades. Lunar Amulet is a brand-new name upon the scene, yet it’s thanks to the mastermind’s experience in acts like Falls of Rauros, Rhûn, and Blood Chariot that this new entity already has a leg up. Yet, it’s throughout the entirety of this eponymous EP that Lunar Amulet is able to channel a truly magical breed of black metal the likes of which the underground is rarely treated to. Dreamlike and simply euphoric for all that it does manage to bring to the table, the world of Lunar Amulet is brought to life in exquisite detail with the very skies of the woodlands coming to life. Branching out to ensure that this debut is anything but a stale one-dimensional piece, Lunar Amulet manages to weave atmosphere, melody, and real emotion into such a magnificent tapestry with every small note coming together brilliantly.

This is far more than a debut that tries to accomplish something different. Rather, it’s in practically every instance that Lunar Amulet demolishes any and all competition to make atmospheric black metal that is no less than enchanting. Not terribly often is it that we can come before a debut EP and feel as though we’re already on the path to greatness, yet I cannot shake that feeling when I look upon what Lunar Amulet has accomplished.

LISTEN to “Lunar Amulet” on Bandcamp here.

FOLLOW Lunar Amulet on Instagram via the Hidden Dawn Collective here.