“Immortal cosmic curse…

Infinite presence

In a violent universe…”

Longtime Black Metal Daily favourites Synodic‘s star is on the rise. Omnibus, the collected works of the US cosmologists to date has not only seen a recent tape issue by fresh label Realm and Ritual but has just been bestowed with a gorgeous double CD release through Flowing Downward, black metal sub-division of the mighty Avantgarde Music (pre-orders up now for a September 3rd launch). This is something that I’m quietly chuffed about, as I’ve always thought their epic astral assault to be the perfect fit for Avantgarde‘s roster.

Anyway, to celebrate this none other than Myrdin Cerphas himself has taken time out from both blasting through the fathomless void and spreading wretched darkness with his other projects Indril, Revelation None and Somber Ire to share his ten essential Cosmic Black Metal albums with us lucky, clamouring souls (he’s also handily compiled a Spotify playlist at the end for those so inclined). If there’s anyone that’s across all things astral, it’s this man; so read on below for your guided journey to the stars.

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Black Metal is now over 30 years old, and in that time we as the listeners have listened to countless albums exploring the darkest parts of our minds, lives, nightmares and now the universe. As all genres evolve, artists have taken a little of this and a little of that from various sources to create their art. Black Metal is no exception.

Now, with the ever increasing popularity of Cosmic Black Metal, stargazing black metallers have a new way to express darkness (or for some the light) in the universe. Cosmic Black Metal is one of the sub-genres which, to me, is at the forefront of what Black Metal is becoming; and I am ok with that evolution. Here is a look at my ten favorite Cosmic Black Metal albums that I find essential for the aspiring stargazer.

Oranssi Pazuzu – Muukalainen Puhuu (2009)

First we have the Finnish Oranssi Pazuzu with their psychedelic cosmic chaos that is Muukalainen Puhuu. Cosmic Black Metal as a genre is pushed past the point of no return right as this album begins with first track Korppi (my personal favorite). You find yourself lost in a strange place that seems very go-go dancing – ’60s era – Star Trek laden – counter culture, with the darkness that black metal provides. While part of the album has its very slow and heroin-esque drug infused sounds, it can quickly change gears on you and blast your mind into other strange atmospheres. Vocally it can be terrifying, fused with the odd guitar tones that can fool you into thinking it is a synth. It certainly is a fresh take on extreme music as a whole because they break all the rules of what someone would expect from a black metal band.

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Almyrkvi – Pupil of the Searing Maelstrom (2016)

The next entry on my list is Iceland’s own Almyrkvi with their debut EP Pupil of the Searing Maelstrom. This could easily be a soundtrack to an action/horror Sci-fi movie. At times it flirts with electronics, mainly in the drum department, but never fails to capture the unknown. It features sustained droning leads and some of the catchiest drum patterns around. The droning atmosphere is accompanied by dark growling vocals that feels as though the universe will swallow you whole and spit you out in the farthest reaches of the known universe. Their full-length Umbra from 2017 may be getting all the attention right now, but there’s just something about this EP that grabs ahold of me and won’t let me go.

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Battle Dagorath – I – Dark Dragons of the Cosmos (2016)

The international band that is Battle Dagorath pumped out an album of such ferocity that I sometimes get images in my head of traveling through the darkest reaches of space faster then the speed of light while space-time caves in on itself. It’s a mind bending experience that is made possible by the unrelenting drums and alien sounding vocals. The ambient moments can be soothing and calming; yet the brutal moments can horrify you into being scared to listen to it in the dark. The use of synths are clever and not over powering as in some cosmic bands. At times the guitars sounds like noise, albeit melodic noise of perfection. A masterpiece in my mind.

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Darchon – The Stygian Black Beyond (2015)

Darchon hails from Greece and is a grab bag of different atmospheres. Each song is carefully crafted and unique, yet seems to fit one another at the same time. Songs like Crossing the Celestial Path to Infinities and Beyond are elegant piano/synth pieces, giving a sense of awe and wonder. Auslender Hostility features more fast paced drums, while synths are droning away combined with everything from growls to screams. The album as a whole has a rawer production, but it seems to only enhance the listener’s experience into the darkness that is the cosmos. The synths are what drive this band’s sound, and are where you will hear most of the melodies that you’ll find yourself humming long after you have finished your listen.

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Bezmir – Void (2017)

With Void, the maestro that is Severoth of Ukraine offered us all a glimpse of his take on the cosmos and gave us the most raw and hellish take on Cosmic Black Metal to date. Right out the gate with Arrival he blasts us with an anger and fury unmatched by his predecessors. It’s as if he said “You want cosmic black metal? Well, here you go fuckers!” Still sticking to his roots with old school black metal sounds he infuses it with synths and screams that can give you chills. The first time I heard the single Arrival I quickly hit him up and congratulated him. If you want a peaceful journey through our galaxy, stay away from Void or it will suck you in with no remorse!

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Thorns – Thorns (2001)

More than any entry on this list does an album and its members have such an impact, not just on Cosmic Black Metal, but on Black Metal as a whole. Lead by Snorre Ruch A.K.A. Blackthorn, who after serving his jail sentence for accessory to murder via accompanying the notorious Varg Vikernes to the killing of Euronymous, decided to resuscitate his band Thorns with an official debut album (before this, there were only 2 demos in circulation). He enlisted help from Sigurd Wongraven A.K.A. Satyr of Satyricon fame, Hellhammer of the mighty Mayhem and Aldrahn of Dødheimsgard.

This album has heavy industrial elements that make it stand out in a grand fashion. Snorre’s guitar work is what you can expect if you know his strange style. It’s entrancing and cuts like a buzzsaw. The masterpiece track Stellar Master Elite (which you may remember from the Until the Light Takes Us documentary) is an anthem for alien beings descending to earth and being hailed as gods. Snorre’s importance to black metal cannot be understated, for he even influenced Euronymous’ guitar skills (he once played in Mayhem for a brief time). The last track of the albums is titled Vortex and showcases the most atmospheric and dark music within Cosmic Black Metal, in my opinion.

View full album on YouTube here, or listen to Stellar Master Elite below:

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Progenie Terrestre Pura – starCross (2018)

Another Industrial Black Metal entry now with Italy’s own Progenie Terrestre Pura (which translates to “Pure Terrestrial Progeny”). What sets this album apart is how they choose to follow their own path and create albums which tell stories of a dystopian future, as mankind ventures out as an interplanetary species and the human darkness we can achieve. From start to finish this EP is a view into what the genre of Cosmic Black Metal can be. Industrial elements are not uncommon in Cosmic Black Metal, but with starCross it isn’t used as an atmospheric effect. It’s used to maximum efficiency as a focal point in the music. Heavy drum samples more akin to N.I.N. and guitars not to dissimilar to Samael keep you banging your head for more. Vocals hold a thrashy sound but remain easily discernible. Easily one of the best current Cosmic Black Metal acts.

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Lumnos – Ancient Shadows of Saturn (2018)

Brazilian project Lumnos, lead by Putrefactus, has been around since 2015 but is only now getting the attention he deserves. Lumnos creates an atmosphere of wonder which borders on spirituality and one can easily hear an Elderwind influence. Ancient Shadows of Saturn has a bright feel to it that gives you serenity; like finally letting go when you realize how small we are in the universe. Once again another band flirting with electronics, yet not going full tilt like Progenie Terrestre Pura. Ethereal soundscapes cascade down upon you that feel inviting. It has the hallmarks of an Atmospheric Black Metal album; it also shines with brilliance and caresses you with warmth. The production is well done and would piss off any purist. Vocals are whispery and screetching. At times I find this to be more of a symphonic album, it is well composed like any classical composer would write. Great album all around, and now being one of my label mates on Flowing Downward I see only good things coming his way in the future.

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Mare Cognitum / Aureole – Resonance: Crimson Void (2016)

Anyone not familiar with Mare Cognitum or Aureole go buy this album after reading this! Not only is it a great album but its a split that achieves perfection. It showcases two tracks from Mare Cognitum and two from Aureole to make up approx. 42 mins of the most expansive journey through the stars.

Mare Cognitum has a way to capture emotion in its purest form and does this well. Aureole’s first song on this split creates a dense and thick atmosphere that feels like gravity is weighing you down. both bands implement tremolo picking patterns that makes any guitarist ask themselves “Why didn’t I think of that?” (I do this all the time I have to say!).

This split has everything. It displays synths, great drum tracks, immersive atmosphere, diverse vocals, and above all something that will make you want more. This is probably one of the most important Cosmic Black Metal albums in recent years. A must for any collector.

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Arkhtinn – IV (2017)

And finally: Classified as a demo, Arkhtinn has always released each album as a two song release each around 20-30 mins long. Typically, droning synths start off each installment followed by raw produced Black Metal that gives a bit of old school credit to it; and aptly named IV is no exception. This album has a thick synthesis of guitar and synth that drives the songs forward, which isn’t easy to achieve. The blast beats are droning low in the mix and allows for the crystalline synths to appear from the mix above the guitars to rise and fall. The overall production feels like a lost transmission in space. Vocally it’s very raw and filled with static that would please a younger Varg. Each album is name your price on Bandcamp and is well worth the time to add to your collection.

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Myrdin’s Essential Cosmic Black Metal Playlist:

…And that’s it. A fantastic starting point for anyone looking to shoot off into the stratospheric world of Cosmic Black Metal; sincerest thanks to Myrdin for his time and you can pick up/pre-order a copy of Synodic‘s Omnibus at the links below. Hails.

Purchase Synodic‘s ‘Omnibus‘ on CD and digital from Flowing Downward/Avantgarde Music here, on cassette from Realm and Ritual here or digitally from their own Bandcamp here.

Support Synodic:

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