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Blackbraid III marks the third album from Blackbraid, who bring a refreshing twist to black metal by infusing it with Native American spirit and essence, offering something different from the Nordic themes that dominate the genre. That said, the Nordic influence is still there; the similarities between "The Dying Breath of the Sacred Stag" and Bathory's "A Fine Day to Die" are so striking I have to roll my eyes a little. Fortunately, Blackbraid have more to offer than just ripping off Bathory. After revisiting their earlier catalog in preparation for this review, the progression from Blackbraid I to Blackbraid III is clear: the riffs are sharper, the songwriting is full of shrill and furious intensity cloaked in a dark, haunting atmosphere. The clever use of Native American instruments adds both pace and emotional depth.

Some critics argue Blackbraid are nothing special, and while it's true that their third album isn't groundbreaking, the strength here lies in superior songwriting and solid production that help it stand out in a crowded field. The big drawback for me, however, is the number of interludes. Overlong and frequent, they disrupt the flow and leave the album feeling disjointed, which undercuts its overall impact. But if you can look beyond those and the matters of controversy that this band has been caught up in in recent years, there's plenty here for fans of melodic black metal to enjoy.