At any given point in time, there are legions of names out there in the dense underground that are seeking to either revive, perpetuate, or hearken to the old school flame in a way that maintains the sound’s original passionate burn. For every ten or so bands that come around attempting to do so, there are a handful at best that are actually onto something. When it comes to black metal, it can sometimes feel like an eternity before we find ourselves before talent that actually manages to add glory and splendor to the classic veins in a way that feels fresh to our ears and loyal to the sound’s foundations. For everything they’ve delivered in their newest opus of darkness, the Iberian act of Spectr3 accomplishes what far too few succeed at channeling.

It’s right away from the cover art that you get the feel that Spectr3 is hearkening back to much of classic black metal. Then, barely a minute into the record, it’s made clear that this is a performance that sought to bring forth a sound that feels ripped right out of the 90s black metal wave. We’ve seen plenty of names try to do so time and time again, but it is here with the ten tracks of “A Procession of the Dead” that Spectr3 not only goes further than much of its competition but also does the sound justice in every given minute virtually without exception. There is hardly a full minute of this creation that doesn’t feel as though it could have been pulled off in the 90s and feel right at home. A methodically paced creation that offers a slow burn with icy riffs, “A Procession of the Dead” lurches forward with magnificent strides in stupendous fashion such that it should scratch the itch any fan of classic black metal is always looking to satisfy with all too few able to do so. Atmospheric at times and undeniably masterful in their understanding of what it means to deliver this sound to maximum potential without compromise, it’s here that Spectr3 does far more than simply capitalize on its origins from over twenty years ago. Constantly are we bombarded by the riffs and ferocity of Spectr3. Splendor and knowledge lurk around every turn to make this an undeniable work of true black metal; you’re left with the knowledge that this record as a whole is nothing short of a spectacle the likes of which we’re always in search of.

Not nearly often enough are we given efforts such as this that are able to not only throw forth substantial power but demonstrate a clear understanding of the genre in a way that is nigh on compelling. Spectr3 wields forces of a fascinatingly dark sort that allow us to dig into an absolute treat of an album that has so much to offer should you simply allow the dread of “A Procession of the Dead” to wash over you as you enter this Catalonian crypt which seeks your very soul.

“A Procession of the Dead” releases on August 7th via Solistitium Records!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “A Procession of the Dead” on Bandcamp here, or via YouTube below.

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