Nachtmystium - Blight Privilege (2024)

One thing not on our bing card for 2024 was Nachtmystium and talented fraudster Blake Judd making a comeback with a new full length release. “Blight Privilege” is the band’s first release since the 2018 EP “Resilient”, and marks an interesting return to the scene with seven crafty tracks that are both catchy and powerful, making them quite engaging. With a certain Uada flair to itself, this release is a good addition to the USBM ever evolving movement.

The release kicks off with the crafty atmospherics of “Survivor’s Remorse”, perfectly paired with engaging riffs and a very melodic vibe. This masterfully continues on “Predator Phoenix”, a very catchy and fun track that gives us serious Uada vibes, and on the more melancholic and twangy “A Slow Decay”, a more experimental piece with very sultry atmospherics. Nachtmystium has always been an interesting band with a solid take on the genre and not afraid to experiment, it is refreshing to hear that is still the case.

There is also plenty of heaviness in this release as “Conquistador”, “Blind Spot”, and “The Arduous March” roll in with a mixture of intense BM riffing, crafty drum patterns and very solid tempo changes, creating unique progressions between slower paced passages to more aggressive and yet catchy interludes. Closing with the album title track, we get a nicely throbbing bass guitar line alongside chilling keyboard atmospherics, creating a very unique and immersive atmosphere, definitely one of the best tracks in this release.

As a whole, “Blight Privilege” is one hell of a release. While many might cringe by just listening to the name Nachtmystium, or its creator, this release is quite solid in musical terms. Judd and company have always delivered interesting music and this release is not an exception. While there are some clear influences of contemporary bands, there is also a uniqueness to the band’s raw and yet refined approach, so be sure to give it a chance.

Label: Lupus Lounge

Release: November 1st, 2024

Genre: Black Metal

Country: USA