From the Vastland – Tenebrous Shadow (Review)

From the Vastland are an Iranian/Norwegian black metal band and this is their eighth album.

I enjoy catching up with From the Vastland’s brand of black metal. I’ve liked all of their albums I’ve heard so far, (2016’s Chamrosh, 2018’s Daevayasna, and 2020’s The Haft Khan, (I managed to miss their 2022 record Taurvi, which I’ve only just found out even existed), so I didn’t expect Tenebrous Shadow to break this trend.

And it doesn’t; From the Vastland once again deliver an enjoyable album of classic black metal.

Rooted in the old-school blackened might of the second wave, Tenebrous Shadow immediately makes a strong impression with opening cut Fiend Mool Infant. It’s a harbinger of what’s to come, as each track shines with potent dark majesty. The spectre of the 90s lurks with malevolent presence, yet From the Vastland have always been adept at playing this style, making the music worth seeking out in the present day.

Soaked in macabre atmosphere and enticing melodic worldbuilding, the songs balance mood and feeling with an aggressive blackened heart. The songwriting ensures that everything supports everything else, making for songs that are razor-sharp, while also evoking atmospheric depth.

In a similar vein to what I’ve said in previous reviews – there is nothing to not like here. With good songwriting and performances across the board, Tenebrous Shadow is another effortlessly enjoyable album for fans of old-school black metal to hungrily devour. Why the band aren’t at least a bit bigger than they are in their chosen niche is beyond me. Regardless, for those in the know, From the Vastland continue to pump out quality black metal like there’s no tomorrow.

Very highly recommended.