...of Light

Stiriah have made it into my personal list of favorite German black metal bands with their second full length “Into the Depths”. Given the immense quality the local scene of Germany is offering I am not saying this lightheartedly, but Stiriah have found a formula of delivering something that sounds well-known and traditional, enhanced by fresh ideas and some great details. They are back with their third album titled “…of Light” and keep doing their own thing. Bringing over 40 minutes and 6 lengthy cuts to the table they have even further polished their trademarks, delivering a real highlight of the black metal year 2022.

The listening experience is suitably heavy, aggressive, and simultaneously harsh and pleasant on the ears, just as this style of black metal should be. The music is both majestic yet horrifying at the same time, with the lead melodies ranging from being soul-piercing and frightening to captivating and triumphant. While keeping the energy and ferocity levels high for most of the album Stiriah know how to write songs which get never boring. The music ebbs and flows in almost perfectly planned fashion, with a lot of things to discover along the way.

Take for example the middle-part of the third song “Companion of Light”, where the permanent blasting is traded in for more groovy patterns and a variation of the main theme is introduced, just to drop back into the madness again. Other cuts offer more atmospheric moments, serving as short breaks from the heavy hitting main chords. That kind of twists and turns can be found on the whole album, all connected with ease to create one outstanding piece of music. Some parts pound at the senses with frankly outrageous drums and climbing guitar lines that weave dissonance, without the single songs ever getting too overwhelming. The six tracks bleed together seamlessly, creating an overlap of fear and terror while always keeping the melodic factor as one of the most important cornerstones of the music.

Stiriah know how to make good use of dark melodies, seemingly teasing them into existence out of the grim haze of the guitars with loving attention to detail. These sit alongside some well-composed riffs and blackened grooves, forming the bulk of the songs with great passion and care. Rich in texture and brooding with sinister, malicious energy, this is a release that can stand its own ground in the vast sea of similar ones. The vocals are once again shared among the members, with the end result being a varied approach, ranging from classic screams over raspy whispers to even some choral like parts.

The album is rounded off by a great cover and a nice production job. The guitars sound clear and powerful and the drums have enough punch and a natural and organic feel. The music on “…of Light” comes across as being vibrant, and while there is always something going on in the background no detail has been lost in the mix. There is a perfect balance of the grit that should always be present when it comes to black metal and the more fragile side of the music which is necessary to give the guitars enough room to spread their glorious magic. Do yourself a favor and do not sleep on this one.