Lament In Winter’s Night - Where Unto the Twilight Leads

Lament In Winter’s Night is a black metal band from Australia, who formed in 2019.  Their latest release, “Where Unto the Twilight Leads,” is their second full-length album; an EP, a demo, compilation and three splits have also been released.

Lament In Winter’s Night originally began as a solo project for musician The Seer.  However on this new adventure, he is joined by Blood Fury on drums.  I haven’t heard anything else from the band so I can’t say for sure how his drums change the album, compared to the others, but they are fantastic.  I like how they aren’t overpowered, matching the raw production of the other instruments. 

For such a raw album, it is highly melodic.  In fact, this album isn’t a conventional raw black metal album—and it is all the more better for it.   The songs are heavy without actually being heavy.  There aren’t many moments of traditional blackened riffs, especially compared to the melodic passages that are almost always playing.   But the intensity and energy of the underground power of black metal is always there, especially with the vocals. 

The songs are, as a whole, as fast paced as trve and kvlt black metal and a lot more catchy than I thought something like this could ever be. But this isn’t Gothenburg melody–the album’s atmosphere is arcane, ghostly, and perhaps even what I might call “medieval.”

The album opens with the intro instrumental, “The Raven's Journey (In the Halls of Nostalgia),” is a gorgeous and moving acoustic piece that flows smoothly..a fantastic start to the album!  

“The Night Beckons In Yellow and Blue,” opens with fast-paced melodies and blackened screams.  It’s nearly ten minutes in length but doesn’t feel like it.  Each note, each piece of music, builds from something else to creating something else.  The bass supplies a steady beat that lends the song a jaunty feeling.  After the six minute mark, the song takes a non-traditional path—absolutely enthralling and majestic. 

“Blazing Galactic Kingdoms,” has a harder-driven rhythm to it, more along the lines of something more traditional.  However, it’s still melodic where it is needed.  Case in point is the 3:55 mark where, after the first part of the song fades out, an acoustic interlude cuts the song in half.  However, it builds up with electric layers so it sounds very natural coming in and out of the song. 

The final song (and title track) is my favorite on the album. It’s engaging from the very first second and every moment is catchy.  The drums keep the song heavy and make the melodic textures seem pervasive and driven.  Around the 4:03 mark, the lead guitar rips out a fantastic harmony, paired with melodic bass and crashing drums.  It sounds sublime and is a prime example of what this album is trying to accomplish—well, not just trying but thriving.   

Lament In Winter’s Night’s “Whereunto the Twilight Leads,” is one of the best melod- focused albums I’ve heard in the final half of 2024. Fans of black metal need to check it out, of course, but I think people who aren't into the genre will still find enjoyment here.