Unreqvited – Pathway to the Moon (Review)

This is the seventh album from Canadian solo post-black metal band Unreqvited.

Pathway to the Moon contains 43 minutes of post-black metal, taking in elements of blackgaze, symphonic black metal, progressive metal, and post-rock along the way. If you are familiar with Unreqvited’s past work, Pathway to the Moon finds the artist taking their art to the next level. Everything here is an evolutionary step up, delivering music that is extremely well-rendered into its final form.

Pathway to the Moon combines symphonic soundtrack beauty with the formidable heart of black metal. It’s a scintillating mix of classic black metal might and blackgaze delicacy. The symphonic aspects are rich and luscious, and the black metal cold and vicious. Around this sit evocative creative enhancements that take from progressive metal and post-rock, offering shades of light that illuminate the music in resplendent tones.

The artist behind Unreqvited has crafted an album that is greater then the sum of its parts. The various elements of Pathway to the Moon come together to produce music that’s certainly rooted in black metal, but is by no way restricted to it. As an overly simplistic simplistic comparison, imagine a mix of Alcest and Ihsahn, with perhaps a touch in Dimmu Borgir in places. It’s only a rough starting point, but should give a decent overview of Unreqvited’s sound.

This is an album of orchestral grandeur, soaring melodies, and atmospheric depth. The guitars are crisp and professional, while remaining emotive. The drums are expressive and satisfying, and the symphonic components layered and affecting. Vocally, there is harsh screaming and emotion-rich clean singing, both of which are very well-performed.

This is a very strong album. I sometimes don’t get enough out of blackgaze-related albums, as there’s usually not quite enough bite, and the emotive qualities can sometimes feel too wishy-washy. Pathway to the Moon suffers from none of these defects though. Throughout the album you’re easily immersed in the artist’s deep atmospheric worldbuilding and absorbing blackened delivery. I have enjoyed Unreqvited’s past work that I’ve heard, but this is something else entirely. Don’t miss out on this.

Essential listening.