Import from Germany. Digipak. Northern Silence in conspiracy with Brilliant Emperor are proud to present Pestilential Shadows' highly anticipated eighth album, Wretch. One of Australia's longest-running and most respected black metal bands, Pestilential Shadows have been building a towering canon of work since 2003. Whereas many of their native land's extreme metal exports either tend toward the chaotic or too clean, the shadowy collective led by founding vocalist / guitarist Balam consistently create compelling swathes of drama and darkness, all-enveloping emotion and regal-yet-gritty grandeur. Truly, Pestilential Shadows are black metal classicism par excellence.And while the last handful of their albums the past decade-plus have seen sizable gaps between them, Pestilential Shadows strike while the iron's hot with Wretch. Simply and substantially titled, Wretch follows from last year's Devil's Hammer and continues the band's progression / regression toward uglier, gnarlier expanses. Mind you, it's a lateral development rather than a vertical one - the "form" is still BLACK METAL, and its attendant contents are ruminations on death and the beyond - but the fact that Pestilential Shadows can subtly-to-significantly shift their sonic palette whilst conveying their characteristic melancholy and tragedy speaks to the enduring strength of their songwriting. What's more, the album's production is palpably professional, feeling effervescent and crisp even when running through those uglier, gnarlier expanses. If anything, said recording style of Wretch - mastered by Krvna mainman Krvna Vatra, who played on the aforementioned Devil's Hammer, with mixing done by Balam - gives the record a uniquely ethereal aspect, even when the band have kicked into ultraviolent overdrive. Above all, the eight songs that comprise the 49-minute Wretch prove Pestilential Shadows as masters of pacing, doling out the sublime and the profane with equally windswept aplomb. Of especial note is the solemn procession of "Where Sunlight Goes to Die," which features guest choral vocals from Dis Pater of Midnight Odyssey. As always, totality is key, and thus has Greallach Art been brought back to provide stark, austere cover artwork for Wretch. On the strength of this album alone, Pestilential Shadows continue to assert their position as a classics-minded black metal vanguard. If you add any "preorder" items, your entire order will be held until all items in your order are ready to ship. Shipping in high quality mailers with extra protection. All vinyl are removed from their jackets before mailing to prevent seam splits in transit. NOTE: Media Mail and "Economy Flat Rate" do not include insurance against loss, damage or theft by default. If you want package protection, you must add insurance, or choose Ground Advantage, Priority Mail or UPS at checkout, which do include $100 of insurance by default. Insurance is very much suggested and available for all destinations worldwide. Age restrictions: For adults; EU Warranty: 2 years. In compliance with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), Out of Season LLC and Phantom Lure ensure that all consumer products offered are safe and meet EU standards. For any product safety related inquiries or concerns, please contact our EU representative at phantomlure[at]protonmail[dot]com. You can also write to us at PO Box 8597, Portland ME 04104, U.S.A.
