The Mist From The Mountains - Portal - The Gathering of Storms (2024)

Delivering waves of highly melancholic and melodic Black Metal, today we have Finland’s The Mist From The Mountains and their sophomore full-length release “Portal - The Gathering of Storms”. Perfectly balancing aggression with melody and some folkiness, this album features six tracks and over 56 minutes of lush and crafty music. For fans of 90’s melodic/symphonic Black Metal, this release has tons of familiar elements, perfectly upgraded with the band’s unique spin.

Opening with the (old) Empyrium-esque “And So Flew the Death Crow”, this track sets a very melancholic mood with weeping guitars and a doomy pace. There is a certain Folkish edge to the band’s sound that enriches the experience, while still delivering some heavier onslaughts. The catchiness continues to the brilliant “The Seer of Ages” and its lush vocal arrangements and engaging riffing. There is a certain Borknagar-epicness to this track, but with the band’s own signature style that we loved.

Things get increasingly melancholic as “At the Roots of the Vile”, and “Among the Black Waves” make their way. Particularly this last track with its hypnotic female vocals and lush atmospherics. With a bit of a Gothic edge, “In Longing Times” is one of the more unique tracks in this release, delivering masterful clean vocals and superb guitar work, making this one of the more unique and interesting pieces of this release.

Closing with the Ensiferum meets Eternal Tears of Sorrow piece “Saiva”, we are left quite pleased with the quality and sheer amount of unique ideas that “Portal - The Gathering of Storms” features. The Mist From the Mountains is a very unique and well polished band that definitely has their own unique sound and craft some very intricate and yet catchy and engaging songs. If you like your Black Metal with tons of more melodic influences, give this release a listen, you will not be disappointed.

Label: Primitive Reaction

Release: October 11h, 2024

Genre: Melodic/Pagan Black Metal

Country: Finland