Ghosheart Nebula - Blackshift

Ghostheart Nebula is a doom metal band from Italy, who formed in 2017.  “Blackshift” is their second full-length album; they have also released an EP.

I reviewed their debut full-length, “Ascension,” for Metal Temple and proclaimed it “the best album their label has released.”  Does their second album match that quality or did they fall victim to sophomore slump?

They didn’t match the quality of their debut…they have surpassed it!  The bands self styled “cosmic doom” takes everything that made their previous release so great and pushes it past boundaries while still remaining true to their core sound.  Interestingly enough, the album picks up exactly where “Ascension” left off so, in many ways, it’s also a companion piece. 

“Blackshift” is a doom album that has all the hallmarks of the genre but introduces even more atmosphere, blackened elements, post, drone,  and a psychedelic/spacey worlds their music grows and thrives inside. 

I want to praise the decision to introduce Lucia Amelia Emmanueli as a part of the band on this second album.  She did guest vocals on the previous one but she is used so much more now—and she definitely helps push their sound to the next level.  Her emotive, ethereal voice is powerful, haunting, and another incredible detail for their songs to present. 

Of course, this is doom metal, so it explores darker themes.  According to their press release, the album explores concepts such as “sunyata,” the Indian philosophical concept for emptiness.  It also features cosmic themes, reflection on human feelings and even takes a scientific route in exploring quantum entanglement theories.  

That’s a lot of introspective topics but they fit into the band’s ghostly brand of cosmic doom and they present it with deep, dark tones.  Once again referring to their PR sheet, “Blackshift” is another reality going down into the deepness of the blackest voidness.  Heavy stuff, heavy music.

The cinematic approach of their music, and their ability to build anticipation, is captured on the intro song, “VdB 141 IC 1805.”   It’s a short but sweet instrumental of ambient noises and electrical fuzz that leads into “Sunya.”

The opening riffs are sad yet layered with atmospheric edges and hints of melody that stick in the mind long after the song has moved on to other areas of darkness.  The vocals alternate between death growls and harrowing screams, capturing the essence of the song’s overall mood.   Lucia’s own vocals are the perfect counterbalance to Maurizio’s own—they make an incredible duo!

I love how the guitars are as adept at casting out actual riffs as they are in taking a liminal, expansive approach when needed.  It’s all integrated very well and plays out smoothly, despite the dark subject matter and music.   With this song, the band has truly embraced what and who they are. 

One of the highlights of the album is “Naught, I” and it is one of their best songs so far.  That opening scream is impressive as are the darkened waves of bleak sundering the guitars and bass cast out.  This song is both violent and epic, using melody at just the perfect moments to heighten the song to a tower presence. 

The drums hit pretty hard, brutal but also intricate and help keep the song grounded even when it’s stretched out among the stars.  The song transforms into a blackened doom segment, offering the true power of the genre just before the halfway mark. From here, the cosmic elements of the band are on full display—it’s bleak, it’s endtime, but it is also strangely beautiful. 

The final half of the song is held together by spoken word and melodic bass—very cool effects, especially with the subtle keys in the background.  The band returns to their blackened post doom to finish out the song in a grand display of death in outer space.

Although I certainly and obviously appreciate the band’s style, it’s also nice to have a more straightforward song.  The title track is that song; it still retains the album’s elements and is certainly atmospheric in its own way but it’s more to the point.  I like how the beginning is an exciting build up, the middle is filled with liminal space, and the ending is insane.  It’s another example of just how well the band can bring to life all their ideas.

The final song, “Orphan of Light,” opens with crushing riffs and frightening death growls.  This song is a monster, slowly taking its time with its inevitable approach. Lucia gets time to shine around the halfway mark and gives a sterling performance. She’s backed by the drums, which are imaginative and complimentary of the song. 

With “Blackshift,” Ghostheart Nebula have upped the game for themselves, doom, and any style of music that is atmospheric or boundary crossing.  Although nothing is official yet, I have been trying to form a “best of” list for 2024 in my head.  “Blackshift” just came and changed the game with this late year stunner.