Spectral Lore - II

Spectral Lore. II. 2007. 5 stars.

Athens’s Spectral Lore is a one man black metal project that incorporates dark ambient and acoustic passages into its massive compositions. This is one of the more effective releases to follow this astral aesthetic, producing etheral works akin to the masterful Paysage d’Hiver. The center piece of this album is "The Thorns that Guide my Warpath", an epic 25 minute track that turns down multiple paths in fleshing out its vision. From eerie woodland samples to full-blown blackened drone, the winding roads of this album never cease to intrigue.

While this release is forest deep with atmosphere, it still conveys intense personal passion, carrying with it the voice of a wanderer long lost in the crevices own mind, calling for release beyond this world. Though it takes a while for these (sometimes overlong) passages to sink in, there is a sense of discovery that builds with every listen. After listening to this while walking for some time in the woods, all the pieces fell together into a cohesive stream of consciousness. This is metal with philosophical aspirations. Highly recommended.

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