Spectral Wound – Songs of Blood and Mire (Review)

This is the fourth album from Canadian black metallers Spectral Wound.

Songs of Blood and Mire boasts 44 minutes of lethal black metal. Stylistically we’re talking a mixture of the Norwegian, Finnish, and Canadian scenes, so if you’re a fan of bands such as Behexen, Forteresse, Gorgoroth, Sargeist, Tsjuder, etc., then this is for you.

Spectral Wound’s music is an exercise in untamed black metal might. It’s well-produced, but still raw and murderous. The music is awash with vibrant melodies that drip with emotive venom and an aggressive intensity that’s withering.

The songs have a dark heart that pulses malevolent hatred through hardened veins, powering the music’s serrated violence. The icy riffs sound like they’ve been torn out of the depths of the void and then shaped into exemplars of cold blackened malice. Spectral Wound’s use of potent melody works in collaboration with this base of distorted darkness, bringing a colourful corruption to the songs. This allows them to deliver dynamics, energy, and emotion, as well as furious aggression. Sitting atop this formidable storm of wrath are the spiteful diatribes of the vocals, and I really like these. Sharp, needle-thin, and savagely delivered, they lash out from the music with a remarkable piercing feral assault.

Spectral Wound play their music with passionate fury, and Songs of Blood and Mire is a strong album. It’s rare to hear a record that’s this visceral and nasty, while also being unexpectedly catchy and memorable. It’s effortless to listen to, hideously enjoyable, and a credit to the band’s songwriting and performances. You surely won’t want to give this one a miss.