SPECTRAL WOUND currently reigns among the most formidable acts in modern Black Metal, igniting a blood-soaked trail that refuses to be ignored. Originating from the frigid depths of Montréal, Quebec, this shadowy ensemble initially enthralled the underground with “Terra Nullius” and “Infernal Decadence,” but they returned with “A Diabolic Thirst,” a fierce and venomous statement.
From the first note onward, the heightened intensity of their instrumentation is impossible to miss. Although earlier releases already showed promise, the band’s latest effort feels downright possessed. The guitars unleash waves of frostbitten riffs that slice through the darkness like blackened blades, summoning visions of cold storms and moonlit desolation. Meanwhile, the drums swing between bursts of feral chaos and deliberate, tension-fueled sequences, evoking an ever-present aura of dread. The bass remains somewhat entombed beneath the swirling guitars, yet it surfaces at crucial moments to provide a deeply menacing undercurrent. “Soul Destroying Black Debauchery” stands out as a stellar example, where the guitars weave an almost heartbreaking melody that coalesces with unhinged vocals and unrelenting percussion. Additional highlights, such as “Imperial Saison Noire” and “Diabolic Immanence,” further confirm how far SPECTRAL WOUND have advanced in forging their signature sonic onslaught.
The vocal performance also receives a dramatic evolution. On past offerings, the voice occasionally sank into the murk, but this time this wrenching shrieks and agonized howls dominate with a newfound sense of conviction. In “Fair Lucifer, Sad Relic,” especially, the furious cries claw through the maelstrom of guitars, injecting a raw, emotional edge into the relentless chaos. There’s a subtle melodic flair in certain passages, adding just enough theatricality to emphasize the tormented delivery without compromising that crucial Black Metal ferocity.
In the final reckoning, “A Diabolic Thirst” stands as a furious testament to how Black Metal can be both hauntingly melancholic and relentlessly savage. SPECTRAL WOUND have refined their craft to a polished blade, wielding atmosphere like a weapon and drenching each track in cold, malevolent grandeur. In a climate where many Black Metal releases can grow stale, this record bellows like a violent storm across a desolate tundra. For those craving razor-edged riffs, soul-rending screams, and that quintessentially grim ambiance, “A Diabolic Thirst” delivers a feast of utter darkness.
Label: Profound Lore Records / 2021