Death, depression and suicidal thoughts… those are the images bring forth while listening to this, the third spell of this one man band from the U.K. This is hardly an style I would expect from those lands, as it indeed sounds a lot more from bands hailing from neighbor countries in a more northern location… although they claim influence from bands like BURZUM and mid-era KATATONIA, there is more for sure. To call this suicidal Black Metal will not exactly define the overall style. Yes, there is a certain reference to bands like SHINING and the aforementioned BURZUM, although there is a very good balance between the mid-tempo parts, which must be said, are the majority here, and some fast bursts of anger but played with amore conviction than the other infamous one man band. The vocal delivery is also used in a very effective way, giving that macabre touch to the music, and sounding desperate enough to create that agonizing sound that is just goes along like blood and knife within the powerful production. Yes, the guitars are there and although I assume this is a programmed drum machine, by the glory of dark lords, it does sound (in) human. It might be the entropy sound of the music, but nothing sounds here mechanical, if yet hypnotic, and trance-like. Sometimes I refer this band to those ritual-inducing sounds that can be found in WATAIN or ONDSKAPDT. After releasing three attacks to the heart of Christ, the maturity the band has reached for surely puts them in the right way. For a one man band, I must state that I am impressed in the way the visions of the only member Greg, has been able to depict with sounds such a desolate and gleam scenes. ‘Beneath The Embers Of Time’ comes out as one of the most glorious tracks of this suicidal style, with a grim atmosphere, and many rhythm changes, which still at the end hypnotizes the listener to an abrupt end. Most of the songs are well over the 5 minutes mark, but that even with the desolate passages when using acoustic guitars, it just feels quite natural and flows in and endless way to oblivion. ‘Deathless’ is another majestic piece of pure depression and majestic rising… rise into the realm of no death, just suffering. “Haven” is an album that deserves more than one listen, in a dark and cold night… and even if it does sound like depressive, there is an imminent sense of power surrounding it all. Morbid, yes, depressive, yes, yet also very powerful and maybe even spirit inspiring. It is the kind of albums that makes you want to go and find out about if their previous works have this same quality. Of the things Moribund have released in the last years, no doubt, this is one of the best. Atmospheric and grim Black Metal followers… enter “Haven”… www.necronoclast.com, www.moribundcult.com