Of course, cliché can only have a negative impact on art, and expression in general. All genres of rock and metal music suffer from cliché, including extreme metal. As far as the case of Labyrinthus Stellarum is concerned, my surprise was huge. The Ukrainian band really managed to shock me, with a new album that throws cliché to the rubbish! I have heard the “Vortex of the Worlds” and I think I have to warn you – Labyrinthus Stellarum isn’t your next door black metal band. They play something unconventional – black metal with electronic elements and cosmic themed lyrics! Forget about raw, misanthropic, evil black metal with the bad sound production. And welcome cosmic black metal which has keyboards, melodies, dreamy atmospheres, true emotion and music colors! This innovation will mesmerize the listeners and you – enchanted and breathless – will want more and more from this weird band!!! I personally absorbed the whole album and with every listen I got lost in a whirlpool of space black metal. For sure, bands like The Kovenant, Dødheimsgard and Ved Buens Ende are an inspiration for Labyrinthus Stellarum, yet, the guys have a more accessible sound, with a superb production, even a romanticism and an explosiveness. They deserve our enthusiasm and our congratulations, simply because they are doing something fresh and intriguing, far away from cliché. With “Vortex of the Worlds” a fresh wind blows and a light shines in the dark realm of black metal!
♦ 8/10
Dimitris Zacharopoulos
