Info
- Band(s): Sear Bliss
- Label(s): Hammerheart Records
- Release Format(s): 12" vinyl, CD
- Release Year: 2024
- Review Date: October 5, 2024
- Author(s): FelixS
In the more melodic and atmospheric Black Metal constellation from roughly half of the 90’s to the mid 00’s, Sear Bliss played a significant role. Maybe not as big as some of their Scandinavian peers, but they surely knew how to strike a stunning balance between sharp riffs and blazing blast beats on the one hand and truly captivating atmosphere on the other. Albums like ‘Phantoms’ (1996) and especially ‘Glory And Perdition’ (2004) can count on a very widespread admiration among fans of atmospheric and slightly unorthodox Black Metal. However, it was around the turn of the 10’s that the band not only slowed down in releasing new material, but more importantly started to change direction musically.
The change in style wasn’t all that dramatic, but the incorporated complexity and a stronger inward focus of ‘Eternal Recurrence’ (2012) and ‘Letters From The Edge’ (2018) made them a bit of a tougher pill to swallow. While both albums are by no means bad, it definitely left their following a bit bewildered and in a state of wonder. Yet, Sear Bliss has also been a band that could always count on the loyalty of their fanbase, so when ‘Heavenly Down’ was announced, after another six years of waiting, there was a sense of tangible warm enthusiasm in the air again.
And, with only one glimpse on that gorgeous Kris Verwimp artwork, that enthusiasm was completely justified. Because it is not only that artwork that bears a strong resemblance with the classic 90’s records, the music proudly wears that same comparison. While Sear Bliss will always remains Sear Bliss and some orthodoxy will always be a part of the band’s material, this newest album certainly is the most fluently sounding record since that much beloved ‘Glory And Perdition’.
The piercing riffs and blast beats are captured in their familiar sonic collision with the alluring atmosphere, propelled to its highest levels by the astonishingly warm sounding trombone. That instrument wasn’t gone, neither has any of the other basic elements of the Sear Bliss DNA, yet on ‘Heavenly Down’ things has started to just fall into the right places again. Yet, even with all these familiar building blocks being re-found and re-used in the “proper” way and forging a records that breathes the atmosphere of yore, Sear Bliss knows how to manoeuvre things forward.
The band welcomes some electronics, more clean singing and overall dreamy-soundscapes to the mix. And, as expertly as Sear Bliss have incorporated their brass instruments into their trademark sound, so do they with these elements. It all blends in so natural that the result is nothing short of an awe-inspiring musical milestone in the band’s long-standing career.
Whether the album will also grow to be amongst the fan-favourite is something that only time will tell – we’ll have to look back at it in another ten or so years, but for sure Sear Bliss surprises with this amazing piece of splendid Atmospheric Black Metal. They truly outdid themselves and it is another testament to András Nagy & Co.’s magnificent sense for astounding song writing. Outstanding.
Hammerheart Records
- Country: Netherlands
- Style: Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Thrash Metal, Other
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp, Youtube
