Greetings, Decibel readers!
Another year comes to a close, and another winter envelopes the Earth (well, north of a certain latitude) in chilling, unrelenting darkness. Which means it’s time to look back and find solace in some of the year’s finest black metal releases. As a reminder, this is not a comprehensive list. My column is called Five For Friday, not Fifty for Fuck’s Sake. Along with the albums listed below, I would also recommend the 2025 entries from Havukruunu, Empillarist, Malacath, Velvet Cross, One of Nine, and several others. My focus for this list is to name a couple albums that really resonated with me and perhaps a couple that got lost in the shuffle of metal journalist coverage over the last 12 months.
Dark seasons greetings.
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Ancient Torment – Follow the Echo of Curses
In case you didn’t know, the Providence, Rhode Island, scene is no joke. The locals care about the music, and they really show up for it. Ancient Torment boasts members from several other distinguished bands, bringing a wealth of sonic experience to craft this work of sonic mourning. Songs like “Spectre at the Crossroads” and “Under the Guise of Virtue” have an epic and theatrical element, but still hit the ground with energy and determination.
Stream: Apple Music
Follow the Echo of Curses by Ancient Torment
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Blackbraid – Blackbraid III
Blackbraid has become on of the most highly-respected names in black metal for a good reason, as Sgah’gahsowáh displays a dazzling ability to craft chaotic and rapturous compositions on Blackbraid III. Readers who want to learn more should grab a copy of Decibel #251, as the mountain-dwelling master graces the cover and provides a deeper view into his musical world. One thing I really appreciate about this album is that it delivers everything you’d want from black metal while introducing lots of cool guitar work you typically wouldn’t hear on a release like this. Check out the tapping on “The Dying Breath of a Sacred Stag” to hear what I’m talking about.
Stream: Apple Music
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Esoctrilihum – Ghostigmatah – Spiritual Rites of the Psychopomp Abxulöm
It’s incredible what one man’s unconscious can bring forth, both in terms of artistic power and sheer volume. I mean, Asthâghul put out four albums and an EP this year. Just this album alone would be an incredible work for any musician to stand on, so I don’t know how he does it. Stylistically, the album sits comfortably alongside Dy’th Requiem for the Serpent Telepath and the first portion of Astraal Constellations of the Majickal Zodiac. And although I appreciate Esoctrilihum‘s forays into other styles, it’s at the nexus of epic, progressive atmospheres and black/death metal ferocity that the music has its greatest effect.
Stream: Apple Music
Ghostigmatah – Spiritual Rites of the Psychopomp Abxulöm by ESOCTRILIHUM
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Imperial Crystalline Entombment – Abominable Astral Summoning
I still can’t get over how great these guys were at Maryland Death Fest. The latest frozen offering from Imperial Crystalline Entombment is exactly what you’d expect it to be, and thank goodness. In case you’re not familiar, think the atmosphere of Immortal and Frost-era Enslaved mixed with the punishing power of Tsjuder, Dark Funeral and Lords of the Nightrealm-era Setherial. It’s cold, brutal, and glorious!
Stream: Apple Music
Abominable Astral Summoning by Imperial Crystalline Entombment
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Lamp of Murmuur – The Dreaming Prince in Ecstasy
I’m a longtime advocate of Lamp of Murmuur, my devotion stretching back to the chorus-soaked demo days of the late 2010s. And that fandom continues to pay off, especially on this album. The attitude of the previous album still shines through, but is tempered by a return of some of the songwriting tendencies of the earlier work. The production is way more balanced as well, making The Dreaming Prince in Ecstasy play like a feature film or grand opera. Bravo, I say!
Stream: Apple Music
The Dreaming Prince in Ecstasy by Lamp Of Murmuur
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