Spectral Wound – Songs of Blood and Mire (Review)

The Canadian black metal outfit in Spectral Wound are back with a new album three years after the release of A Diabolic Thirst. Songs Of Blood and Mire will be released on August 23rd via Profound Lore Records. 

On their fourth studio album, the band sounds bigger than ever before. The mix is organic, wrapped in an icy chill, yet sounds raw enough to satisfy most black metal fans.

“Fevers and Suffering” is a terrific opener. The nagging vocals almost make you tremble with fear, while this mixes well with the partly melodic riffing. The coldness and feeling of isolation that the previous records have radiated continues seamlessly on Spectral Wound‘s latest work. Tracks like “At Wine-Dark Midnight in Mouldering Halls” trigger the darkest thoughts in you. Absolutely terrifying.

“Aristocratic Suicidal Black Metal” is not only the heaviest song name ever, but also a great example of how good the band’s song writing is. The Canadians manage to write tracks that burn themselves into the ear canal with their brilliant riffing and drumming. The punk influences in particular are refreshing and well packaged into the songs.

I was pleasantly surprised by the heavy metal and rock guitar riffs that the bands skilfully incorporated into some of the songs. Who would have thought that the raw sound works so well with a pinch of NWOBHM. I’m not sure if in 2024 you still need albums that have a running time of over 40 minutes, which is also my only criticism.

Spectral Wound continue to show why they belong to the absolute black metal elite. Catchy songs, an absolutely dark atmosphere and surprising influences that sound refreshingly good, but the band remains true to themselves. Songs Of Blood and Mire fits seamlessly into the band’s magnificent discography and is one of the strongest releases of 2024.