Hails, my fellow black metal fanatics! Sean here from the Black Metal Archives, and today, we’re diving into the dark and atmospheric realm of Zorya. This rising force in the black metal underground has been crafting a distinct and immersive sound, and with their latest single, Someone From The Dark, they continue to refine their haunting, melodic approach. Let’s unravel the depths of their latest work and how it ties into their past releases, particularly their full-length album Mystic Lament.

Zorya operates at the crossroads of atmospheric and melodic black metal, weaving together layers of chilling tremolo riffs, ethereal synth passages, and deeply emotive vocals. Their music carries a cinematic quality, balancing the raw aggression of traditional black metal with a sorrowful, almost gothic melancholy. The production isn’t lo-fi in the vein of second-wave purists, but it still retains a cold, distant edge that amplifies the immersive qualities of their compositions.

Their newest single, Someone From The Dark, is an eerie and melancholic offering that showcases the band’s continued evolution. The song opens with distant, reverb-soaked guitar melodies, soon giving way to a brooding build-up before launching into a cascade of tremolo-picked riffs and driving blast beats. The vocals, a mixture of agonized shrieks and spectral clean singing, add a ghostly presence to the track, complementing its spectral atmosphere.

The interplay between soaring leads and a relentless rhythm section is where Zorya excels. The drumming is tight and dynamic, shifting from furious blast beats to more methodical, doomy passages that let the song breathe. There’s an undeniable emotional weight to the track, hinting at themes of loss, cosmic insignificance, and the ever-present specter of darkness that haunts their music.

Released on June 10, 2023, Mystic Lament comprises seven evocative tracks that blend melodic black metal with post-metal and doom elements. Notable tracks include:

• Rise: Serving as the album’s opener, “Rise” sets a haunting tone with its atmospheric build-up, leading into a cascade of tremolo-picked riffs and dynamic drumming. The track encapsulates a sense of awakening amidst darkness.
• Autumn: This track captures the melancholic essence of the season, featuring somber melodies intertwined with aggressive passages. The juxtaposition of clean guitar sections and harsh vocals evokes a feeling of inevitable decay and beauty.
• Sepulchre of Love: Closing the album, “Sepulchre of Love” is a poignant composition that balances sorrowful melodies with intense instrumentation, reflecting themes of love lost and the finality of the grave.

Throughout Mystic Lament, Zorya employs keyboards and layered instrumentation to add depth to their sound, reinforcing the dreamlike yet nightmarish quality of their compositions.

Zorya’s sound sits comfortably in the realm of modern atmospheric black metal while drawing inspiration from both classic and contemporary acts. Their balance of melody and aggression echoes the likes of Mgła and Uada, while their use of haunting atmospheres and melancholic progressions might remind listeners of Harakiri for the Sky or Ellende.

They avoid the overly polished sound that some melodic black metal bands lean into, instead maintaining an organic rawness that keeps their music visceral. With Someone From The Dark, they seem poised to push their sound even further into the depths, embracing both the cinematic and the savage aspects of their craft.

Zorya is a band that demands attention. With their upcoming album on the horizon, Someone From The Dark serves as an enticing preview of what’s to come. If you crave black metal that blends melody, atmosphere, and emotional intensity without sacrificing its raw, sinister core, this is a band worth following closely.

What do you think of Someone From The Dark? Haven’t heard it? Go check it out on their Bandcamp page! Then, let us know, does it hint at a new direction for Zorya, or does it build upon the foundations of Mystic Lament in a satisfying way? Let us know in the comments, and as always, hail the darkness!