Shylmagoghnar – Convergence
Release Date: 10th November 2023
Label: Napalm Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal.
FFO: Be’lakor, Insomnium, Agathodaimon, Kalmah, Mors Principium Est.
Review By: Rick Farley
Originally a duo back in 2004, Dutch band Shylmagoghnar is now a one-man project spearheaded by multi-instrumentalist and founding band member Nimblkorg. The bands third offering Convergence is being released November 10th, 2023, through powerhouse label, Napalm Records. Described as an atmospheric black metal act, that just doesn’t quite tell the full story.
Shylmagoghnar has as much in common with bands like Insomnium and Dark Tranquillity as it does the genre of atmospheric black metal. Tons of melodic death metal influence with giant Scandinavian tinged melodies and doomy chord structures. There’s a healthy undertone of power metal esque ambiance strewn throughout that maintains a gathering of triumphant victory that’s hard not to pump the fist in heavy metal glory. This is also blistering black metal chaos, intertwined with eerie piano harmonies, layers of haunting atmosphere and progressive elements that are utterly fearless within these ten tracks of an hour plus, genre busting musical journey.
Believing too many words can distract from the enjoyment of the music, Convergence is half full of songs with vocals and half totally instrumental. Musically and lyrically marking the inward journey that one has to go through before being able to pass on. Although it may be from a literal perspective, as the albums protagonist is dying and the lyrics describe the emotional, philosophical, and psychedelic journey he is undertaking, the new Shylmagoghnar offering is also an allegory for learning to let go of positive and negative themes of the past that hold us back from moving on, and eventually reaching inner peace.
Unafraid to explore past genre borders, Convergence shimmers with an accessible complexity that doesn’t take hold till, at least, listen number three. Aggressive, dark, beautiful, heavy, and hopeful are all adjectives that could describe any moment of this epic masterclass of unflinching compositions. Album opener I Hear the Mountain Weep is a ten plus minute instrumental that sets the mood of ethereal heaviness as well as any Finnish melodic death metal band out there. It’s driven by intimate melodies and walls of chords that feel sanguine and a maybe somewhat too familiar. Follow the River takes the ugliness of blackened frenzy, the power of anthemic heavy riffing and mixes it with shanty style harsh vocals, glorious roaring melodies, and silky leads. Synth lead electronic track Gardens of the Erased that’s heavy on the instrumental darkwave vibe, is an odd placement on the record. It’s comes out of left field as track number five, being placed directly after a Viking tinged, power metal blast of thrashy heaviness, Strata. Yet it somehow works (after a few listens) and doesn’t interfere too much with the album’s flow. It is a bit jarring the first few times and feels unnecessary to the albums overall enjoyment, but again it starts to blend in and feels less random. Continuing on with the slightly odd pacing, it leads directly to Egregore, which is a black metal explosion of cosmic horror. Full of venomous riffs, raspy growls, and dark tones, it’s a needed shot of violence at seemingly the right time that puts the album right back on track.
While Convergence suffers just a little in length, pacing and familiarity, it is still quite an accomplished album that’s very much worth your attention. High quality home production meets skilled songwriting usually ends up being listenable. Shylmagoghnar is a bit more than just listenable though, being very close to a higher in rating just with a little editing. Honestly there’s a lot to love here, and it will be received with mostly high regard, give it a spin, and see for yourself. 
(4 / 5)
