Album Review: Cult of Luna – The Long Road North (Metal Blade Records)

For more than two decades, Sweden’s Cult of Luna have forged a sound that has grown incomparable to that of others. With 2019’s A Dawn to Fear, they delivered a career highpoint, and on 2021’s The Raging River EP, they continued on the journey started with that record, one that concludes with The Long Road North. Out on February 11th, 2022 via Metal Blade.

Arguably metal’s most consistent bands, Cult of Luna have been providing us with atmospheric post-metal goodness for over 20 years. Each record they released, a taste of enlightenment and wonder. Is it any surprise that with The Long Road North, their 9th full-length album, we once again reach a state of euphoria thanks to Cult of Luna’s inimitable talents?

The only place to begin is the beginning and what an introduction it is. Cold Burn’s war-horn-esque roar, the sense of impending doom as the drums pick up the beat, the guitars echoing emphatically and the desperation that features in the vocals. Cult of Luna are back, and darkness follows in their wake. A cleaner but crushing rhythm breaks out of cover after a few minutes with the riffs and vocals becoming much more prominent and then the post-melodies, that we have come to expect from them, start to sneak in. It’s nearly 10-minutes of utter brilliance and already, the bar-setter for the entire album.

This is Cult of Luna though and they’re just getting started. The Silver Arc is another with depth, where the blend of intense heavy instrumentation and implausible ability to drop into cold melody and beyond continues to amaze. How Cult of Luna express themselves and tell tales is akin to nothing else.

A short taste of melancholy comes with Beyond I. A cinematically tinged effort that features the vocals of Mariam Wallentin. An internationally acclaimed Swedish vocalist and multi-instrumentalist known for her band Wildbirds And Peacedrums.

The dynamic offerings that Cult of Luna are so well known for continue with the gargantuan submission of An Offering to the Wild. Were nearly 13 minutes fly by in a blur of caustic heaviness, profound atmosphere, and prolific melody. A track that is Cult of Luna taking their time to let every second of this track permeate the senses. As exhausting as it is inspiring, Cult of Luna make this feel like the grandest track to ever come out of them.

So much to unpack, so much to take in and so much to enjoy. It would be overwhelming if it wasn’t so pleasurable. Talking of which… Into the Night’s first couple of minutes are haunting in delivery. A palatable level of melancholy that does pick up the tempo but stays focused on misery. Albeit a style that gets lighter and prettier as it goes on.

Another short one next in the form of Full Moon. With strong atmosphere and a sense of foreboding that builds towards the title track. The flow is perfect as we take the next step on this road. Here, Cult of Luna reach into a cold pit to remove the writhing and wriggling essence of darkness. Revelling in one of their most intense offerings yet. The roots of this track go deep into the savage muck and Cult of Luna proudly holds it up high for all to bask in.

It’s far from over yet though as it’s another epic with Blood Upon Stone. A brief bit of ringing guitar melody and slow drumming gives way to a chaotic eruption of heaviness. Before Cult of Luna take full control of this track’s rhythmic structure and make the chaos expulsions work in their favour. This is a penultimate effort that reaches lavish highs unheard throughout this delightful album.

Which does bring us to the end and Beyond II. A variation on Beyond I, except Cult of Luna recruited Colin Stetson. Who has worked with The Arcade Fire, Bon Iver and Tom Waits, but most recently is known for his soundtrack work, including the Hereditary OST.

An experimental and cinematic piece of music that fits perfectly as the closer to this album.

The Long Road North is yet another accomplished Cult of Luna release. One that can proudly sit alongside its brothers and sisters but also holds enough fresh ideas to show that Cult of Luna are not in a rut. It’s up there as one of the grandest albums they’ve ever released.

Cult of Luna – The Long Road North Full Track Listing:

1. Cold Burn
2. The Silver Arc
3. Beyond I
4. An Offering to the Wild
5. Into the Night
6. Full Moon
7. The Long Road North
8. Blood Upon Stone
9. Beyond II

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