Austere - Beneath The Threshold [Colored Vinyl] (Gate) [Limited Edition] (Ofgv)

"Beneath the Threshold" represents Austere in the here and now. While their previous album "Corrosion of Hearts" (2023) formed the bridge between the band's musical history and the artists' fresh vision, "Beneath the Threshold" takes a leap of expression. Austere's sonic heritage is still alive. Even though their roots in early Norse black metal and it's depressive Scandinavian offspring continue to shine through, it is also apparent that the Australians have audibly strengthened their emotional expressiveness and previous blackgaze leanings beyond the point where a stylistic shift towards the latter needs to be diagnosed. On "Beneath the Threshold", Austere offer more hooks and melodic harmonies to complement the multi-layered, harsh and dreamlike guitar textures expertly woven by Keepin with the aid of Yatras' emotive drumming.