Adversarial - Solitude With The Eternal

Adversarial is a blackened death metal band from Canada, who formed in 2007. Their latest album, "Solitude With The Eternal," is their third full-length album; they have also released a demo, two splits, and an EP. 

Adversarial's take on blackened death is a bit different than a lot I've heard this year. While it is without a doubt pummeling and abrasive, it's all extraordinary dark and even murky. It takes the best of both extreme styles and blends them into something that is darker than black.

The tone of the guitars and bass is absolutely heinous and evil. It sounds just like blackened death should sound: maddening, frightening, and against the grain of any hope.

The drums are a highlight throughout the album. They are well produced with a killer tone themselves but aren't extreme for the sake of it. Real care and craftsmanship was put into the album but especially the drums.

The pacing and flow is excellent as well. With 8 sings coming it at around 32 minutes, it doesn't wear out its welcome and gives many reasons to return to these bleak lands.

The album opens with "Beware the Howling Darkness On Thine Left Shoulder," and it is already tearing on the edge of implosion. The entire band is firing on all signals and sound not unlike an advancing army on a death march.

"Witness to the Eternal Light," places the album on a firm black metal massacre especially with the rapid fire drums that push the extremity to the next level.  As the song rushes towards the two minute mark, it slow downs just slightly to let in insane vocals, howls and laughter unhinge the song completely. 

"Merging Within the Destroyer," has some of the biggest riffs on the album, thick with gargantuan energy that threatens to derail the music. The bass and drums keep the insanity as firm as possible but the guitars push on through, tunneling under the madness.

The final banger is "Endless Maze of Blackest Dominion," and it does seem like the pain is perpetual, such is the band's ferocity and fervor.  The vocals alternate between low gurgles, growls, and blackened wails---unrelenting, to say the least. The last 57 seconds is a testament to the band's destructive nature.

This is the first Adversarial album I've heard and I'll definitely be checking out their previous releases while keeping my ears open for their next act of destruction.  Highly recommended!