Hello my fellow black metalheads! Welcome back to the Black Metal Archives. I’m Sean, and today we’re diving into Severance, the most recent release Severance from Returning! If you’re a fan of atmospheric black metal that blends melancholic beauty with feral intensity, this is an album you’ll want to hear. Let’s break it down.

Severance is a deeply immersive record, weaving together cold, tremolo-driven guitars, cavernous drums, and ethereal atmospheric layers. The band leans into the raw, unfiltered aggression of black metal, but there’s an undeniable sense of melody that seeps through, creating a soundscape that is both savage and meditative.

The production maintains a balance between clarity and the organic, lo-fi edge that defines the genre. Vocals echo through the mix like a distant wail carried by the wind, adding to the album’s haunting atmosphere. The guitar work is drenched in sorrow, often shifting between blistering speed and slow, hypnotic passages that allow the melodies to breathe.

Let’s look closer at a few tracks:

• Path of Ashes – This 16-minute opener establishes the album’s tone with sorrowful, cascading riffs and a gradual build into an intense, almost trance-like state. The midsection introduces a beautifully somber passage before launching back into raw aggression.
• Primal Remembrance – One of the standout tracks, filled with dynamic shifts. The interplay between the soaring tremolo leads and the relentless drumming creates a feeling of ancient wisdom as if the track is channeling something deeply rooted in the earth itself.
• False Light Sickening – A brief but powerful interlude, where the band strips back the aggression for a moment of eerie, ambient reflection before the final onslaught.
• Bright Power, Dark Peace – A masterful closing track, showcasing the band’s ability to blend chaos and tranquility. The contrast between the storming riffs and the introspective, almost meditative sections gives the album a grand and fitting conclusion.

Returning stands alongside bands like Wolves in the Throne Room and Falls of Rauros, embracing the atmospheric side of black metal while never straying too far from its primal, aggressive core. Thematically, Severance feels rooted in the same reverence for nature and spiritual introspection that has defined many of the genre’s most compelling acts. It’s not just an album—it’s an experience, one that lingers long after the final note fades.

Severance is a powerful debut that demands multiple listens to fully absorb its depth. Whether you’re drawn to its vast atmospheric passages or its raw intensity, there’s something here for every fan of the genre. If you haven’t checked it out yet, do yourself a favor—immerse yourself in this release and let its darkness wash over you, it is available in full on their Bandcamp page. Once you have done so, let us know what you think in the comments, and as always, stay metal!