Yep, it’s one of those album covers isn’t it….! This debut, from a single person project, emerging from the heart of Germany and going under the name Wylk, is 43 minutes of glorious atmospheric black metal. ‘Archaica’ is, clearly, deeply rooted in the natural world and takes as much from Gallowbraid and Arx Artrata, as it does from the ethereal spirits of bands like Olhava.
You don’t just whack an album like this on and listen while you are, for example, changing brake pads on a car. This is music that you become, and that fills you with such feelings of insignificance and introspection, it stops you in your tracks. For me, those tracks were fortunately in a wooded area. I would recommend the same.
Comprised of five fairly lengthy tracks, the musicianship and production on display is exceptional. The mix has a width and a panoramic quality that entirely represents that landscape in which this dwells, and the long and caustic vocal notes stir even the most ancient of beings.
Atmospheric black metal is one of the very finest corners of the genre and, when it is done well, as here, there is nothing that matches it. I challenge anyone to listen to the track ‘Zerfall’ from this record and not feel hairs you didn’t even know you had stand on end.
Best Paired With: The Smell Of Leaves, Homelessness And Somewhere We All Wish We Were.
Reviewed by Jaff.
Archaica by Wylk is out now (Self-released).
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