Back in 2008, two brothers in Havana named Erik and Angel Morales decided to start their Black Metal band NARBELETH. Little did they know it would evolve into one of the defining acts of Cuba’s defiant underground scene. Forming in such a politically tumultuous, isolated country wasn’t surely easy as access to outside influences and resources was extremely limited. Yet, one can dig a little and be amazed by the depth of the Cuban scene with stirring Black Metal acts like SHRINE OV ABSURD, SKJUT ANCESTOR OF KAOS, BLACKULT, DAWN OF MADNESS, HABORYM MASTEMA, HIVERNAL, SVARTMASS and also a burgeoning Death and Grind acts like COMBAT NOISE, CRONOS, NECRÓFAGOCONGREGATION, SPERMASK, BUTCHER, JEFFREY DAHMER, DARK MILL or NEFASTOR. NARBELETH no doubt shines brighter than many of their local peers, as their 15-year strong discography demonstrates. Brothers in arms Erik and Angel kept their fierce passion like a force and persevered through challenges many outsiders can’t imagine. Their 2011 debut “Diabolus Incarnatus” got things marching, drawing from both their love of early Norwegian Black Metal and their mystical island home. Though lo-fi, it captured their gift for gloomy melodies and haunting ambiance. Fanzines and word of mouth helped spread their distinctive sound abroad, leading them to expand creatively on releases like the 2012 EP “Hail Black Metal!”. Over time, with some uninterrupted full-length releases, they only sharpened their songwriting skills while holding true to the lo-fi spirit. “A Hatred Manifesto” in 2014, “Through Blackness And Remote Places” in 2015, “Indomitvs” in 2017 and 2021’s “Svmma Cvm Nox Arcana” proved NARBELETH never stray from the route of releasing records, strongly evolved and became genuine seasoned veterans by blending their distinct brand of melancholy and rawness like few others globally. Still, after 15 relentless years of honing their craft, NARBELETH remains restless and wild. They are now offering their sixth full-length “A Pale Crown” via Folter Records. From the very beginning NARBELETH’s dark, aesthetic journey taking shapes with tracks like, ‘Pathways To Occult’, ‘A Pale Crown’, ‘To Step Beyond The Veil’ and ‘On The Sight Of Dusk’. Nothing like they have invented something here, but their spellbinding compositional sense blended with a possessive atmosphere will provoke minds and evoke passages of their own. ‘Of Moonlight And Spirits’ is already sticking with me after a few listens. With the right mind, this has the strength to transport the mind into mysterious landscapes with the DARKTHRONE stirring melody, moody atmospherics, and doomsday like drum rolls that don’t overdo but keep on growing like a bewitching energy. Layers of ethereal guitars and keyboards spiral endlessly, conjuring visions of enchanting mountains, misty woodlands and pale moons. You can sense the spiritual depth in every note. Even their faithful cover of SATYRICON’s ‘The King Of The Shadowthrone’, which is surely a well-thought-out album closer and shows how deeply NARBELETH worships the classics where raw performance meets heartfelt tribute. Having said that, the Cubans also deserve praise for their intimate production, which does not sound graceful rather holds the raw edge that all olden classics upheld. This lends these songs an authentic Black Metal spirit despite their atmospheric ventures. The stomach-churning artwork did visual justification as well. While the CD format won’t fully do justice to the primal essence here and vinyl is mandatory, the songs themselves are artful, foreboding creations regardless of the medium. All in all, “A Pale Crown” seems destined to be an introduction to NARBELETH’s visionary Black Metal for many people, elevating their name to the higher level in the current black metal era. To find out more about the band and label, visit www.facebook.com/narbeleth.blackmetal, www.facebook.com/folterrecordsgermany