Album Review: Unfelled – Pall of Endless Perdition (Season Of Mist Underground)

Emerging Pagan black metal project Unfelled is rising from the underground to release its debut full-length, ‘Pall of Endless Perdition.’ Designed by the same mastermind behind Woods of Desolation, Unfelled formed in 2016 as a project of D. (Woods Of Desolation, Remete), and first emerged with the solo demo offering ‘Beneath Distant Skies’ at the end of 2017.

Expanding the line-up in 2020, fellow veterans Mitch (Austere, Dearthe) and Vlad (Drudkh, Windswept) were enlisted on vocals and drums respectively, completing the vision for the band.

Now, upon ing forces with Season of Mist, Unfelled is ready to unleash ‘Pall of Endless Perdition.’ Out on March 10th, 2023.

Drawing deeply from hypnotic depths of the well of traditional black metal, yet knitting melody and atmosphere into their sound, Unfelled take the listener on a dark and ominous journey. One that is fraught with treacherous fury and hostile intensity, the callous accompaniment of melody, nowhere comforting enough to make this any less of a tension heavy experience.

Across seven tracks, seven tomes of rigid and robust black metal, Unfelled pour all their heart, soul, and scorn into making the listener feel as though they’ve been through a storm. The frenetic tempos are the thunder, the instrumental crashes are the lightning, and the vocal roars and howls are the wind. The combination is heart-racing, sending constant spikes of adrenaline though the body, making it less of a frightening experience and more of an exciting explosion that you’ll come through and for a long time afterwards.

What makes Pall of Endless Perdition such a compelling listen overall though, is that it’s both familiar (if you’re a fan of black metal) and fresh in equal measures. While the overall aggressive stance and troubling intensity is what may be expected, Unfelled inject it with life through their clever layers of melody and atmosphere, creating a more twisted and devilish experience. Even when coming at the listener with fire burning in their soul (such as on The Opposer), it is undeniably layered.

It’s this level of detail, buried amongst a cacophony of heavy blackened metal, that makes tracks like An Epoch in Bloodshed, Veil of Perdition, and A Diadem Embattled the supernovas of this record. Bright, brilliant, and pulsating with energy. Unfelled set the mind aflame with their brand of black metal, resulting in an album that delivers a captivating experience overall.

Unfelled – Pall of Endless Perdition Track Listing:

1. An Epoch in Bloodshed
2. The Opposer
3. Wreathed Wings
4. Veil of Perdition
5. Transcendent Legacy
6. Evanescent
7. A Diadem Embattled

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Season of Mist