SETH

Release Year: 2013
Artist Origin: FRA
Style: extreme harmonious atmospheric black metal

fifth full-length by French black metal pioneers, released after an eight year hiatus, returns them to the roots and continues tradition of harmonious, atmospheric black metal, yet enriches its ornate romanticism with a more organic, ritualistic and bleakly epic expression, where abrasive guitar riffs, gloomy instrumental interludes and memorable melodies merge into a cohesive esoteric odyssey; concept revolves around nature's self-destruction and ideas of morality, sin and guilt, while a recurring spectral voice, particularly prominent in both parts of Howling Prayers, ties compositions together into a unified narrative; newcomer Black Messiah's harsh, dramatic delivery contrasts with the cleaner vocal contributions of guest musicians, especially Kvohst, lending music an additional theatrical dimension, while the creative shift away from technical refinement of earlier releases towards more natural musical flow reflects maturity and reinforces the strength of this comeback; recent French digipak edition comes with two bonuses