Style: Atmospheric/Progressive Black Metal (mixed vocals)
Recommended for fans of: Fen, Oh Hiroshima, Wormwitch, Harakiri for the Sky, Agalloch
Review by: Will
Country: Siberia, Russia
Release date: 20 November 2022
From the cold, dark lands of Siberia, something not of this earth is stirring. A plague of madness washes down from the Steppes, over in Krasnoyarsk where, under the light of a gibbous moon (presumably as part of some diabolical ritual with powers beyond human comprehension), eldritch atmospheric black metal band Ultar have birthed a new album.
The writings of American pulp fiction writer and renowned xenophobe Howard Philips Lovecraft have long captured the imagination of artist, writers, directors, and musicians. However, few bands have been so utterly fixated on his work as Siberian band Ultar, who have been crafting albums in the style of Lovecraft’s Cthulhu mythos since 2016. Their new album At The Gates of Dusk marks an evolution in the bands sound away from their post-rock, ambient metal infused roots towards something much more aggressive with the express goal of dragging both fans and new listeners deeper into Azathoth’s horrifying dreamscapes further still through a mix of atmospheric black metal, melodic black metal, and ambient post-metal soundscaping.
In At The Gates Of Dusk, Ultar utilise varying vocal talents and techniques more than ever before: Soft choral backing vocals buoy the melody on tracks like “Evening Star”, and delicate female vocals usher us into “Through The Golden Gates of Dawn”. Dark chantings on tracks like “Antiques” give a definite impression of the evil workings of a dark, Lovecraftian cult. Mostly hear the stylized screamings of Gleb Sysoev whose impressive range encompasses high screams, death growls and some form of guttural, drowning vocal style which feature most prominently (and appropriately) on tracks like “Innsmouth”.
One really interesting aspect of this album is the multiple moments in which Ultar make concerted efforts to make their listeners as uncomfortable as possible: Most notably, the outro to opening track “Midnight Walk and Remembrances of Necromancy” during which an ear-splitting nails-on-chalkboard tone is played for 22 excruciating seconds. Another example is the ticking chimes in the intro to “Rats in The Walls” which, when coupled with post-metal-esque soundscaping, genuinely does set the listener on edge before the vocals barrel through like a plague of rats tumbling through a weakened ceiling. It is genuinely difficult to discern whether these are moments of musical genius or madness (and perhaps that’s the point!). Presumably, the aim is to put the listener into a state of genuine discomfort in emulation of the mental anguish common to characters in a Lovecraft story (equally, Ultar might simply be trying to torture their listeners – have fun deciding). The effect is something of a genuinely immersive album. One that is difficult to have on simply in the background as so many numerous elements scratch at your nerves, begging for attention.
Ultar manage to exist as a band with a definite theme without it feeling too gimmicky. Their incarnation in this latest album feels more polished and darker than in previous albums. Yet, in At the Gates of Dusk, it feels more difficult to differentiate their sound from other, similar atmoblack and black metal bands. Certainly, their synthesis with post-metal and soundscaping techniques, coupled with some pretty amazing use of vocal techniques certainly does set them apart. As does their inspired or insane choice to insert genuinely painful elements into their album is either inspired or insane. But these uniquely Ultar moments are sporadic throughout the album. Much like eldritch knowledge in a Lovecraft novel, there are hidden gems here if the listener is willing to dig for them. But others may well not feel it worth sticking around long enough to find them.
At any rate, if you want a band to play a soundtrack to your night terrors this winter, you can’t go far wrong with Ultar’s At The Gates of Dusk.
Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Cthulhu R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn.
Recommended tracks: Through The Golden Gates of Dawn, My Rope, Rats In The Walls, Midnight Walks And The Remembrances Of Necromancy
You may also like: Unreqvited, Numenorean, IER
Final verdict: 9/10
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Facebook | Metal-Archives page
Produced by Ultar and Vladimir Lehtinen
Label: Independent
Ultar is:
– Pavel Dil (bass)
– Denis Susarev (guitar and keys)
– Max Sysoev (guitar and keys)
– Gleb Sysoev (vocals)
– Vlad (drims)
