Cursebinder – Drifting

Polish black metal outfit Cursebinder sets sail on a melancholic voyage with their debut album, “Drifting.” This offering promises a departure from the raw aggression of traditional black metal, instead favoring an atmospheric and introspective approach. Does “Drifting” lull listeners into a captivating dreamscape or leave them adrift in a sea of monotony? Let’s unfurl the sails and delve into this sonic journey, track by track, to see if Cursebinder reaches a safe harbor or crashes upon the shores of tedium.

A Somber Voyage Through Bleak Landscapes:

• Intro (1:27): The album opens with a haunting soundscape. Ethereal guitars shimmer like moonlight on snow, setting the melancholic tone for the journey ahead. Gentle synth pads add a touch of cosmic expanse, hinting at the vastness of existence.
• Into Sorrow Evermore (6:22): The first full song establishes the album’s core mood. Blast beats erupt momentarily, but quickly give way to a more atmospheric approach. Tremolo-picked guitars weave a sorrowful melody, while distant screams evoke a sense of despair and longing. Vocals, delivered by Horaz with a raw rasp, paint a picture of a desolate landscape mirroring the turmoil within the human soul. The lyrics likely explore themes of existential dread and the insignificance of humanity in the face of a cold and uncaring universe.
• Truth under Stars (5:18): A brief moment of clarity emerges. The song features soaring guitar leads that temporarily pierce the veil of despair. Clean vocals add a layer of vulnerability, hinting at a yearning for meaning amidst the bleakness. The melancholic beauty of the melody offers a glimmer of hope, but the overall atmosphere remains resolutely sorrowful. The lyrics might explore the desperate search for solace and purpose in an indifferent universe.
• Aurora (4:32): The album returns to its atmospheric core. Shimmering keyboards and melancholic clean vocals create a moment of ethereal beauty. The music evokes the image of the aurora borealis dancing across the night sky, a fleeting spectacle in the vast emptiness of space. The lyrics likely explore themes of fleeting moments of wonder and the impermanence of all things.
• Elysian Fields (5:12): The album injects a dose of dissonance. Raw and detuned guitars create a claustrophobic atmosphere, while pounding drums propel the listener forward. Horaz’s vocals return to their raw rasp, conveying a sense of desperate struggle. The song’s title, referencing the Greek afterlife for the righteous, might be employed ironically, hinting at the bleakness of the album’s world. The lyrics likely explore themes of the futility of seeking solace in any form of afterlife.
• Forests in Gale (4:57): A return to the atmospheric approach emerges. The song features a cold and distant soundscape, with howling winds and distorted guitars creating a sense of isolation. The vocals are a chilling whisper, barely audible amidst the sonic desolation. The music evokes the image of a wind-battered forest, a metaphor for the turmoil within the human soul. The lyrics likely paint a picture of a hopeless struggle against the inevitable forces of nature and time.
• Awakened beyond Dreams (7:12): The album’s epic centerpiece arrives. This sprawling track features a dynamic range, shifting from moments of quiet contemplation to outbursts of raw aggression. The use of acoustic guitars and melancholic piano melodies adds a layer of emotional depth to the soundscape. Horaz delivers a nuanced vocal performance, showcasing both despair and a desperate clinging to fading memories. The lyrics likely explore themes of confronting one’s mortality and the fragility of the human experience.
• November Monument (6:14): The album closes with a haunting instrumental. Slow tempos, mournful strings, and melancholic piano melodies create a sense of quiet acceptance. The song serves as a final emotional coda, leaving the listener with a sense of awe and a lingering chill.

Verdict: 3.5 out of 5

“Drifting” is a rewarding listen for fans of atmospheric black metal seeking a deeply emotional experience. Cursebinder crafts a convincing soundscape of frozen beauty and existential despair, perfectly capturing the desolate majesty of nature. The songwriting is strong, with each track contributing to the overall atmosphere. Horaz’s vocals are a highlight, effectively conveying the emotional core of the music. The production is clear and atmospheric, allowing each instrument to contribute to the chilling soundscape.

A minor point to consider: Listeners accustomed to the faster tempos and more aggressive elements of traditional black metal might find “Drifting” a bit slow and repetitive. The relentless focus on bleak.