Nydvind – Telluria

Review by: Chad Pabianek

Review Score: 8.5

Nydvind’s upcoming album Telluria is not so much a walk in the park as it is a trek through dark, gloomy rain clouds. Blending black and doom metal with acoustic interludes, it feels like a medieval gathering preparing for a daunting battle. The more I listened, the more the album grew on me—like walking through a storm until you’re so drenched that it resistance feels futile.

The album opens with Telluria, a slow-building track that starts acoustic, like a light drizzle, before swelling into a storm of blast beats and layered riffs. At first, some of the riffs seemed a bit basic, but over time, I realized they suited the mood of the songs. By the second track, Thanetian Sublimity, the album’s vocal diversity became apparent—spoken passages, clean singing, choir-like medieval chanting, tortured screams, and metal gutturals all make an appearance. At times, the spoken passages seemed a little overused, but overall, they add to the grim atmosphere.

As the album progressed, I grew to appreciate the tracks leading into one another whether from landscape sounds, or a guitar ringing out. The mix of black metal, folk, and ambient elements creates a sound that’s perfect for a rainy, and desolate landscape. The record has a strong sense of progression, feeling complete from the intro’s buildup to the closing moments. That said, by the end, I found myself expecting another heavy section to close things off, only to realize this is part two of a trilogy (Tetramental), which now has me wanting to check out part one and anticipate the third.

What I Liked:

-The album’s progression and atmosphere.
-The variety in vocal styles, particularly the guttural vocals
-The more I listened to it the more it grew on me

Despite some minor gripes, Telluria is a strong release, especially for fans of blackened folk and doom. The more I listened, the more I appreciated its depth.

Tracks:
1) Telluria
2) Thanetian Sublimity
3) Heart Of The Woods PartII
4) Ebony Sanctum
5) Dance Of The Ages
6) Into The Pantheon Of Absinthia

Out March 21st on Malpermesita Records