Earthen Altar – Earthen Altar (Review)

This is the debut album from US black metal band Earthen Altar.

Earthen Altar play nature-inspired atmospheric black metal informed by the Cascadian style., but not restricted to it. Earthen Altar contains three tracks with a total duration of 27 minutes. Before we start, prepare yourself, as this is a colossally strong release.

Endless Rain opens with a warm ambiance that’s instantly welcoming, and leaves a progressive taste that’s very nice, before becoming heavier and more energetic. You can feel the atavistic, old-school black metal DNA in Earthen Altar’s bones, but it’s realised through a contemporary atmospheric lens that doesn’t shy away from more modern influences. The song is well-rendered and enjoyable, with many highlights, especially the guitars, which ripple and vibrate with intricate depth and rich melodic presence. The blackened screams are potent and charismatic, and have a vaguely hardcore feel in places that I can’t quite pin down. Just after the 5-minute mark I’m pleasantly surprised by some ethereal clean singing.

The next song – Yemo – is the longest, and begins with energetic aggression and harsh, rhythmic growls that are instantly gripping. As the song unfolds it’s clear the the band’s grasp on songwriting, structure, and guitar rhythms/melodies displayed so well on Endless Rain was no fluke. This is next-level stuff, for sure. Varying in pace, mood, and feel, the song visits desolate doomy darkness alongside resplendent beautiful colour. Some of the furious sections in this are withering, yet delicately affecting.

The final song is the otherworldly Cybele. Otherworldy because there’s a multidimensional feel to the song, as if it’s somehow warped and not entirely of our reality. Yet, paradoxically, it also feels the most earthy of the three tracks, like you can almost feel the dirt in your hands. I attribute this, once more, to the exceptional riffs and guitar work on the song. Earthen Altar have a talent of conjuring into being fully formed vistas of vivid landscapes, and Cybele is another great example of this talent. With winding melodies, expressive riffs that are uncommon, and another sterling vocal performance – both harsh and clean – Earthen Altar have produced yet another stunning track.

What a shockingly good album. This is a great debut to open their discography with, and Earthen Altar have seriously impressed. At various points it reminds me of bands such as Wolves in the Throne Room, Ultha, Altar of Plagues, Panopticon, Skagos, Downfall of Gaia, Dawn Ray’d, and Fen, yet Earthen Altar definitely have their own individual personality that stands tall amongst these bands. If these sort of acts appeal, then you must check this out.

It would be an absolute crime if Earthen Altar disappeared into obscurity, as this is a superlative release. If you’re a fan of well-crafted contemporary atmospheric black metal, then this is an absolutely essential listen.