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Despite disbanding recently, Purest have left us with a collection of approachable Black Metal that is at once accessible and yet bleak enough to appeal to the satanic elite. Their style is straightforward at first, but as the songs progress, the Germans break out some stunningly melodic leads, taking things into much less predictable territory. In places Renascence, their debut release, is a sophisticated affair, uniting the direct intensity of Carpathian Forest with the sprawling builds of Drudkh during tracks such as "Winged Heralder Of Plagues", "Of Purest Blood And Wolfish Grandeur" and the excellent "Through The Astral Spheres Of Obscurity". Purest manage to create atmosphere without sacrificing the songs themselves, and they do this with plenty of riffs and melodies that have enough individuality to remain lodged in your brain. Not only that, but every track has structure, and it keeps you guessing as to where they will take you next.

Vocals are you typical throaty rasps (but they are done well), and in all the production is similar to middle period Emperor (only less cluttered). And though there are moments when you wish they'd edit themselves a bit, Purest put on a good show with Renascence. It's sad because with a start like this, they could have blossomed into a promising act. Regardless, followers of visceral yet melodic Black Metal should seek this out. An awarding listen awaits.