Liminal Shroud – All Virtues Ablaze
Release Date: 5th August 2022
Label: Willowtip Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Black Metal
FFO: Windir, Darkthrone, Enslaved.
Review By: The Wayfaerer
Black Metal is mostly associated with Scandinavia, but its influence has spread far and wide over the years, as is the case with Liminal Shroud. Hailing from Victoria, British Colombia, Liminal Shroud is a fairly new outfit having formed in 2018 and headed up by Vaaltovashe drummer Aiden Crossley on guitars and vocals, Rich Taylor on bass and vocals, and Drew Davidson taking care of drumming duties. Their debut album, Through the False Narrows, was an enjoyable first step, if not a bit anaemic. Their follow-up, written at nearly the exact same time, promises to be much more interesting. This is their sophomore effort: All Virtues Ablaze.
Even though there are only four songs, the album clocks in at 41 minutes long, with Hypoxic being the shortest at only seven and half minutes long. After a moment of build-up, the opening riff sears your mind with its abrasive distorted fuzz in a way that only Black Metal can. Accompanied by Davidson’s blast beats and a hail of vocal savagery. Both Crossley and Taylor are credited as vocalists, though I was unable to discern who sang where on what song, I will say they both do a splendid job with their menacing growls and rough shouts of defiance. It really makes you envision a dark banshee shouting against the heavens. Good stuff. The song also does a damn good job of establishing atmosphere. There’s an overall vibe of hopelessness and melancholic woe, but also a shout of righteous defiance. It really gives the album a sense of grandeur. Mists Along Florencia continues this theme, but instead of the fast-paced assault of Hypoxic, it ebbs and flows, the slow build-up allowing for more introspection from the listener, before being sent back to a more fast-paced melodic section that still maintains a sombre atmosphere. Transmigration is the final piece, split into two parts, each one clocking in at over nine and a half minutes. The first part, Pelagic Voids continues the rollercoaster of emotions, whereas once again, the music ebbs and flows. It continues its sense of hopelessness, but towards the middle, there’s a bit that feels welcoming and warm. Encouraging, even. For a moment, I’m now listening to a Pelican album, before the crushing drums, soaring guitars, and howling vocals come crashing back around to remind you that this indeed, black metal. The second part, The Cleansing Ash, begins with a piano melody before launching into my favorite riff on the whole album. The guitars are triumphant, shouting a sonic riff through the heavens, with more savage vocals that bring the final act down on a slower section. The guitars pluck out their little single notes, accompanied by haunted chants, before rising once again in triumph and ending on a high note.
This album is a damn experience. It doesn’t feel like I’m listening to music, it feels like I’m experiencing emotions made manifest from song. It’s almost indescribable, the feelings you get when listening to this. It’s a mixture of triumph, of sadness, of despair, of a passage of time, an ending of an era, so many things all rolled into one. I’m honestly struggling to find something I didn’t like on this release, but if I had to pick one, I’d say the vocals could be a bit louder on the mixing. Not a lot, just a bit. Other than that, this is fantastic. Mixing traditional black metal with melodic and progressive elements together in a giant bag of emotions, and they pulled it off. Great work, Liminal Shroud. Hold your heads high, because this is phenomenal.
(5 / 5)
