Blackbraid – Blackbraid III (Review)

This is the third album from US black metal solo act Blackbraid.

Following on from 2022’s Blackbraid I and 2023’s Blackbraid II, Blackbraid III contains 52 minutes of music, (including a Lord Belial cover), and continues to meet the benchmark of high quality black metal that its predecessors set.

At the heart of Blackbraid III sits a core of old-school black metal. This is ultimately an ancient style, but here it has been given professional production values and a contemporary update. Compared to the last two Blackbraid releases, I’d argue that Blackbraid III embraces the Scandinavian second wave closer and harder than ever, while still showcasing the artist’s own personality. It’s atmospheric, but aggressive, raging with icy fury as it paints vivid landscapes for the listener to explore. For a rough idea of Blackbraid III‘s sound, think of a mix of Agalloch and Immortal, with touches of Wolves in the Throne Room and Panopticon here and there.

The songs are melodic and atmospheric, blending strengths from both into music that is easily enjoyable. It’s well-written and well-crafted, and is awash with hooks and memorable moments. Some of the riffs, leads, and solos are especially potent – God of Black Blood having a particularly notable example of the latter. The artist behind Blackbraid knows very well how to write this sort of material, and it’s presented with a modern delivery and infectious character.

However, there are a lot of interludes. Out of the ten tracks, only five are actual original songs, with the remainder consisting of an intro, three interludes, and the cover. Although certainly not ideal, the non-songs are pretty good for the most part, adding texture to the album.

Blackbraid’s material continues to impress. It’s entirely possible that this might end up being my favourite of the three Blackbraid albums, as it fuses together old-school might, catchy riffs and melodies, and rich atmosphere in ways that simply work damn well. If you’re a fan of classic black metal and are looking for a contemporary version that’s well-crafted and executed, with actual songs, then this is for you.

Essential listening.