Asagraum – Veil of Death, Ruptured (Review)

This is the third album from international black metallers Asagraum.

After thoroughly enjoying 2017’s Potestas Magicum Diaboli and 2019’s Dawn of Infinite Fire, (especially the latter), Veil of Death, Ruptured is one I’ve been looking forward to. It has surpassed my expectations too, let me tell you that now.

This is 90s second wave worship, played with passionate skill and infernal zeal. Veil of Death, Ruptured delivers 37 minutes of classic Satanic black metal, steeped in the old ways and in thrall to the ancient ones. Asagraum know the style well, and the freezing winds bless their latest endeavour with the kiss of cold blackened might that such a work deserves. Yes, this is the stuff.

The well-rendered songs are sharp and icy. The riffs leave deep blackened scars, while the frosted melodies cut to the bone. Layers of misanthropic atmosphere and grim darkness cover the songs, allowing Asagraum to explore more than simple aggression. The album has a good amount of variety set around its central style, and the songs are all enjoyable and satisfying. Asagraum’s songwriting skills have developed well on this new record.

Veil of Death, Ruptured showcases a band that have taken their previous strengths and reinforced them. Not only this though, the have also broadened their repertoire to include more texture and detail, making for songs that feel more fully rounded and complete. There’s a greater amount of dark melodic accents this time around, as well as ritualistic cleans, deepening the music’s impact. Despite all of this, Asagraum remain true to their core mission; to deliver old-school black metal art, and they do this very well indeed.

This is a damn good album, with plenty of longevity and lots of replay value. Veil of Death, Ruptured is a superior record from a superior band.

Very highly recommended.