Shaidar Logoth - Chapter III: The Void God (2020)

Unleashing a very unique and auraly abusive release, today we have experimental/atmospheric Black Metal duo Shaidar Logoth and their gargantuan “Chapter III: The Void God” release. Featuring a mix of traditional USBM with more esoteric atmospheric/ambient elements and a splash of Post-BM elements, this release delivers over 47 minutes of creepily captivating music.

The release opens with the multi-layered “Nest of Pigs”, a track that slowly builds up with a very ethereal feeling thanks to the Post-BM-ish guitars in the first few minutes. The band’s aggressive side is not to be trifled with as this opener reaches a high point with blistering BM aggression through intense riffing and drumming. The band’s more atmospheric/ambient influences help transition this track into the cavernous “Anguish Cradle”. This song creates a very unique and effective oppression sound with a slow drawn melody and a chaotic ending.

The most ‘traditional’ track in this release is the punishing “Consume Pieces of God” as it delivers waves of shrieks alongside Taake-esque punkish onslaughts. Closing with the monolithic “Withered on the Vine”, a 16-minute beast of a song, the band nicely builds up to a superbly melodic catharsis with a very minimalist opening few minutes. We particularly enjoy this aspect of the band’s sound as it shifts the paradigm of just roaring away into creating a more intricate, atmospheric, and mysterious sound.

Overall, “Chapter III: The Void God” is one hell of a Black Metal release that reminds us a bit of bands like Wolves in the Throne Room and similar outfits, but still delivers new ideas and a very unique atmosphere. With both a brutal and a more mellow and ethereal sides to the band’s sound, Shaidar Logoth creates a very powerful and effective atmosphere that transports the listener’s to unknown territories.

Label: Sentient Ruin Laboratories

Release: November 6th, 2020

Genre: Experimental/Atmospheric Black Metal

Country: USA