“Wounds of Desolation” is an uncompromising journey through the depths of human despair, a perfect blend of atmospheric and aggressive black metal. Released in September 2024, the album showcases the Greek band’s ability to channel raw emotion into chilling, oppressive soundscapes, all while remaining rooted in the traditional framework of the black metal genre. Right from the opening track, “Wounds of Desolation” immerses the listener in a world of bleakness. The guitars, drenched in tremolo picking, create a wall of sound that feels as expansive as it is suffocating. The melodies are not only cold but haunting, as if they are reaching from a place of deep suffering. Isolert excels in crafting these melancholic tones, yet they are also capable of balancing this atmosphere with moments of sheer aggression. The riffs are sharp and icy, carving through the dense layers of sound with precision. The drumming throughout the album is relentless, but not without nuance. Blast beats dominate much of the record, providing a driving force behind the chaos, yet there are moments when the pace slows, allowing the more atmospheric elements of the music to take center stage. This dynamic approach gives the album a sense of flow, with crescendos of intensity punctuated by interludes. These interludes don’t feel out of place, instead, they serve to heighten the tension. Vocally, “Wounds of Desolation” is a portrait of anguish. The tortured screams, delivered with unrelenting ferocity, add a layer of primal emotion to the record. The lyrics convey themes of suffering, existential dread, and isolation. These are familiar concepts within black metal, but Isolert approaches them with sincerity, making the emotional weight of the album feel genuine rather than derivative. The songs showcase the band’s ability to meld traditional black metal aggression with more atmospheric and melodic passages, demonstrating a maturity in songwriting that elevates the album. These tracks, in particular, exhibit a balance between aggression and melancholy that defines the record as a whole. The production on “Wounds of Desolation” strikes a fine balance between clarity and rawness. Each instrument is well-defined in the mix, yet the album retains the raw, unpolished edge that is essential to black metal’s identity. This allows the listener to fully immerse themselves in the dense soundscapes without sacrificing the genre’s characteristic harshness. In conclusion, “Wounds of Desolation” is a powerful release that stands out in the modern black metal scene. Isolert has crafted an album that is emotionally resonant and musically compelling. Fans of atmospheric black metal will find much to appreciate here, as will those drawn to the more traditional, aggressive side of the genre. The album is an essential listen for anyone looking to explore the darker realms of black metal.
♦ 8/10
Christina X
