In recent times, we’ve truly seen a wave of innovation throughout the many different realms of black metal. For everything that the genre has to offer from its old school veins to the newcomers looking to inject a different sort of light into a traditionally pitch-black (no pun intended) sound, there are always those who seek a path only they can travel. Such a path can take us to a seemingly infinite number of locations. For some, that means radically shaking up what black metal has long embodied. For others, like Zørza, it means crafting something that still very much takes into consideration the core values that black metal has leaned on for decades while effortlessly ensuring their sound is undeniably their own.
From the cover art alone, it ought to be obvious to any incoming listeners that Zørza has set out to offer us something that may not be what many of us would normally expect. However, much of what’s delivered throughout “Twilight of the Golden Star” fits quite comfortably within the “typical” genre boundaries of black metal with Zørza very much honoring that old school sound. That does not mean Zørza misses the opportunity to inject their own life, spirit, and energy into the incredibly well-calculated scathing brand of black metal that’s on constant display as the record aggressively expands from one track to the next with passion and grandeur striding forth hand-in-hand with intensity and uncompromised artistry. Capable of both sincerely gorgeous atmospheres alongside a form of black metal that’s both intelligent and undeniably destructive, Zørza makes itself obvious as clear masters of post-black metal with every inch of these seven tracks ensuring that “Twilight of the Golden Star” is as memorable as it is deeply layered and something that we are beckoned to dig into. If it was from their first album two years ago that Zørza made themselves a name to be watched, then it is here with “Twilight of the Golden Star” that we’re granted a performance that proves Zørza as an act that is well and truly the real deal.
Where many others step into this vein of black metal looking to make an impression, this record simply quashes any and all competition. Time and again, Zørza offers us a fantastic vision of black metal that is beyond capable of so much whether it’s intoxicating melody, captivating liminal spaces, or ferocity of a sort that does black metal immense justice. The Polish duo could have gone in any direction after their sensational introduction not too long ago, and I firmly believe they chose what’s almost certainly the best possible direction with all that is “Twilight of the Golden Star” showing us the exact type of band we’re dealing with here.
“Twilight of the Golden Star” releases on June 26th via Godz ov War Productions!
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