Hail, you cosmic navigators of the Black Metal Archives- Sean here, and tonight we’re plunging headlong into the astral maelstrom with Labyrinthus Stellarum’s latest opus, Rift in Reality. This is stargazing black metal for those who crave both the infinite and the infernal record that warps spacetime with every blastbeat and riff, dragging the listener through wormholes of melody, chaos, and cosmic dread.
The Sound: Astral Black Metal, Unbound
Labyrinthus Stellarum wastes no time launching the listener into the void. From the opening moments, Rift in Reality is a swirling nebula of tremolo-picked riffs, icy synths, and drumming that feels like the pulse of a dying star. The production is dense and immersive, layering cosmic atmospheres atop relentless black metal ferocity. Guitars shimmer and spiral, sometimes collapsing into dissonant chaos, other times lifting into melodic heights that evoke both awe and terror.
Vocals are delivered as distant, echoing howls-less human, more like transmissions from a collapsing dimension. Synths and ambient passages are woven throughout, conjuring visions of interstellar storms and the cold, indifferent beauty of deep space.
Highlights: Traversing the Rift
- The album excels at balancing aggression and atmosphere. Tracks surge and recede like cosmic tides, with moments of furious speed giving way to passages of eerie calm and contemplation.
- There’s a palpable sense of narrative throughout-you’re not just listening to songs, you’re being pulled through a story of cosmic fracture and existential revelation.
- Ambient interludes and synth-driven sections provide breathing room, allowing the record’s heavier moments to hit even harder when they return.
Identity and Vision: Black Metal Beyond the Stars
Labyrinthus Stellarum stands out for its commitment to cosmic thematics-not just in lyrics and artwork, but in every aspect of their sound. Rift in Reality feels like a true journey into the unknown, channeling the awe and terror of the universe’s vastness. The band’s ability to blend raw black metal with ambient and progressive elements makes this record a must-listen for fans of the genre’s more adventurous side.
Final Verdict
Rift in Reality is a triumph of cosmic black metal-dense, dynamic, and endlessly evocative. Labyrinthus Stellarum has crafted an album that feels both immense and intimate, a soundtrack for stargazers and abyss-dwellers alike. Crank it loud, let the rift pull you under, and tell me- did you emerge changed, or lost in the labyrinth forever?
RATING: 4.5 OUT OF 5
RATING SYSTEM:
0: Fucking shit
1: Shit
2: Not Bad Shit
3: Pretty Good Shit
4: Amazing Fucking Shit
5: The Best Shit You Will Ever Hear
Stay stellar, you astral fiends, and keep the black flame burning!
