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I have been a fan of this band since the beginning (as always "band" is a little misleading, as it is just Alex by himself), but I found the last album Blood Vaults to be a letdown. I found it too slow and self-indulgent without the trademark songwriting brilliance that always marked this artist's work. So I was not sure if I should be excited about Exuvia. Thankfully, this album finds Meilenwald back on his game.

This is very much in the vein of Foulest Semen of a Sheltered Elite with the slow riffing, murky soundscapes, and heavy atmosphere, though the guitar sound is sharper and heavier than it's been since Unlock the Shrine. This is still definitely a Black Metal sound, though it is much more expansive and adventurous than almost any other band in the genre. The songwriting is not as focused as it used to be on the older albums, but the songs take you on a journey, and there are lots of twists and turns and cool parts along the way. The recording is heavier, and there is a sharper mix, so it avoids the sometimes slushy sound of Blood Vaults.

If you enjoyed any of the previous albums by Ruins of Beverast, then this is an album you can grab without hesitation. It's not as groundbreaking and arresting as the first three, but it has power and atmosphere to spare. A definite return to form.