Umbra Noctis - "Asylum"

Umbra Noctis arrive at the third full-length of a career that is heading towards twenty years of activity. There are no big news for them and for black metal in general when talking about this “Asylum”. The writing of songs that, especially on a guitar level, recall Norwegian black metal and a voice based on both growl and rare screaming parts form a pleasant album that will not fail to satisfy purists of the genre.

A production that is absolutely retro and does not seek proposals for cold and artificial sounds will also be accepted. Precisely this aspect gives the compositions a very live feeling, which combined with the melancholy of some tracks which is reminiscent of a certain depressive, makes this album a “must have” for lovers of nineties black metal.

A fully convincing performance which brings Italian black metal back to the center of the scene and which also knows how to carve out precise moments in which the band, often referring to the excellent Spite Extreme Wing, knows how to highlight its geographical origin and the traits of a certain type of black metal, which go beyond the usual Norwegian or Finnish influences. A truly interesting album, but only recommended for those who love old-fashioned black metal.