Hiems is a one-man, avant-garde black metal band launched in 1996 by Italian songwriter & multi-instrumentalist Alessandro "Algol" Comerio. "Stranger in a Wasteland" marks his third outing and is the sound of an artist confident in his craft. Recorded during lock-down, the music captures the dismal feelings of alienation and detachment, and translates them into malevolent, minimalistic and non-canonical black metal, infused with dark hard rock and ominous grooves. In comparison with "Worship or Die" - the second and last installment from 2009 - "Stranger in a Wasteland" boasts a much clearer and refined production, which added a commanding character to the vocals, exposed the weight of the guitars, and sharpened the overall listening experience. The topic of death - closely followed by a sense of not belonging - is equally present in the musical and lyrical layer of the album.
