Vision is a wonderful thing to have, but rarely is it something that’s executed with excellence. Easily can it be theorized and even put into action, yet it remains a fickle thing that can easily fall apart if the hands crafting it are not able to mold their ambition into a proper shape that is actually befitting of the concepts that laid its foundation in the first place. The metal underground has long been sprinkled with names that have brought such capacity to the table, but few still are able to deliver on that potential. Dreichmere has become nothing if not visionary as time has gone on, and that’s only become truer with their fourth album.

When we’re dealing with a band that’s looking to push the boundaries of what it can offer, it’s always important for the act in question to know the pitfall of biting off more than they can chew. That’s a trap that can be made all too easily if you’re not taking your steps with caution as well as purpose, and far too many have succumbed to such a tragic fate despite their best efforts. Dreichmere has made solid efforts in the past with their own take on progressive death metal being quite amorphous from one release to the next. Nowhere has that been more apparent or daring with everything that they’ve delivered throughout the gorgeous display that is “Starless Shores”. It’s already a stretch to consider this work more than a little bit of death metal, but there’s real vision and flavor offered throughout this creation the likes of which the underground somehow isn’t bold enough to pull off on a regular basis nearly often enough. Dreichmere had already set itself apart from much of the competition with its previous releases. It’s the ethereal, otherworldly nature of “Starless Shores” effortlessly makes the performance stand out with its depth, evocative tones, and creativity freedom all working together in tandem for a performance that’s certifiably different and unmistakably captivating.

We’ve seen plenty of names come and go throughout the dense history of the underground with plenty of different attempts to bring their vision to life in such a form that’s compelling, organic, and intrinsic for all that it dares to be. As one of the underground’s most mysterious entities, Dreichmere has done a tremendous job with all that’s offered throughout “Starless Shores” with it all but destined to become one of the band’s landmark efforts when it comes time for Dreichmere to rest.

“Starless Shores” releases on January 23rd via Fiadh Productions!

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

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