The much anticipated release of the legendary Kommodus’ second album, Wreath of Bleeding Snowfall, is a sign of new beginnings for the band. While the raw ferocity of previous releases are still present, there’s more of a somber and colder approach that is more, as the album liner puts it, ‘meditative and more spiritually attuned’, which is a slight turn from the more war and blood oriented releases of the past. Many narrative parallels are at play here within this album, and the tale that is spun is one every fan should check out.
Those who are familiar with Kommodus will recognize the iconic raw guitar riffs, deep war style drums, and wolf like vocals that bark out in each track is still present here, but the approach I’d say is much more cleaner, the production is a bit more crisp and enhanced and honestly provides a colder sound that the album was certainly going for in its narrative. The songwriting its self isn’t as heavy and fast paced, taking its time building up some awesome prog parts like on the track Shelter Within A Whale Carcass. The imagery the music alone captures is certainly one of fight and survival, and when read along side with the lyrics, as performed within the song, the harsh howling barks Lepidus performs just enhances that fight or flight presence even more. But the story told is tragic, and dark, and certainly keeps you hooked. This is by far one of my favorite tracks off the album.
I personally found this change of pace for the band to be a great sign of whats to come in the future. The level of creativity is something else here and definitely pushes the boundaries of black metal in a more productive and creative way. The folk and hardcore influences are hard to deny with this release, but the story that is told and expressed through the music was the main thing that got me hooked. The theme of death and rebirth is something that is timeless and can resonate with anyone who digs deep within them selves enough.
By far one of the best albums to have come out this year and something that all fans of the band and black metal in general should listen.