THE RUINS OF BEVERAST / ALMYRKVI - Split (DIGIPAK CD)

Icelandic black metal voyagers Almyrkvi and German doom-infused black metal visionaries The Ruins of Beverast have united on a split that showcases the ingenuity and depth of both bands. Each offers two brand-new tracks that push the boundaries of black metal while retaining the core essence of its ferocity and mysticism.

Almyrkvi delivers an awe-inspiring barrage of icy riffs, thunderous drums, and glacially ethereal leads, constructing a sonic landscape that feels like a portal to another dimension. Their otherworldly black metal radiates a haunting beauty, blending scornful howls and guttural growls with instrumental arrangements that are both crushing and hypnotic. The interplay between the dreamy, resplendent guitar work and the relentless drum patterns creates an immersive, ambient flow that is both unsettling and exquisite. These tracks showcase Almyrkvi’s unparalleled ability to balance aggression with melodic ingenuity, offering moments of clean vocals and textured melodies that contrast yet complement the unrelenting intensity. Bold, dissonant, and magnificently executed, these two pieces are a testament to Almyrkvi’s continued reign as one of Iceland’s most inventive black metal acts.

The Ruins of Beverast brings a darker, more ritualistic energy to their side of the split. Opening with ominous chants and tribal rhythms, their contribution establishes an atmosphere of primal dread and otherworldly intrigue. As the tracks evolve, droning vocals and tremolo-picked riffs weave a tapestry of doomy, psychedelic black metal that feels like a descent into a shadowy abyss. The juxtaposition of their hypnotic, meditative approach with Almyrkvi’s cosmic onslaught is nothing short of genius, creating a dialogue between two distinct yet harmonious visions of black metal. The Ruins of Beverast’s contributions are thunderous and eerie, exuding a malevolent energy that captivates and consumes, offering a mirror image of Almyrkvi’s intensity through a slower, more introspective lens.

Together, these two bands have crafted a split that is as unearthly as it is gripping. Almyrkvi and The Ruins of Beverast explore the extremes of black metal with an artistry that is both fearless and innovative, presenting music that is as challenging as it is rewarding. For those with a taste for the avant-garde and the audacious, this split is a masterwork of experimental extremity—essential listening for any black metal enthusiast seeking to journey beyond the conventional into the boundless unknown.