ultarMany bands have tried to propel themselves into the vast potential of post-black metal soundscapes. Many have failed – in fact most don’t even break free of the tried and tested formulas, which are now getting more than a little worn with overuse. The latest band to follow this potentially god-forsaken and human debris littered trend is Ultar taking no less than the works of HP Lovecraft as their inspiration. Rather than attacking the potentially cold and monumentally horrific subject matter in an effort to unleash its unbridled insanity, as you might expect (or, perhaps, hope), Ultar approach as one might when trying to take in a vast unscalable peak too large for the senses. Appreciating the awe inspiring beauty and trying to unlock its universal beauty despite the monumental task. What is perhaps more jaw-dropping is that Ultar more than faces up to the challenge. In fact these Siberians succeed in producing one of the best atmospheric post-black metal albums I’ve heard all year.

Kadath unites black metal and shoegaze brilliance in a glorious crescendo of sound broken only by drifting acoustic guitar passages and distant tremolo backdrops. This album goes for sheer scale rather than overly ambitious complexity – which actually enhances the feeling of depth to the sound rather than limiting it. Opener, Nyarlathotep, also known to Lovecraft fans as malefic troublemaker the Crawling Chaos, is the first sign we get that this is no ordinary stab at a bit of tendon-straining riff dabbling. Grand and glorious in scope, the 10 minute track sets out to climb the highest altitudes with its echoing melodies and unified blast that plays off nicely against the wailing lead guitar. But, just when many bands would be preparing to now deliver a derivative and drifting batch of repetitious post-something or other for the next 37 minutes, Ultar well and truly separate themselves from the orbit-bound post-black metal mother ship and lift off to explore the far flung regions.

Thus follows an ode to Azathoth, another Cthulhu villain who frankly makes Nyarlathotep look like an extra from The Dark Crystal rather than a multidimensional soul devouring ancient god (generally speaking, the more eyes and the more tentacles you have seems to denote rank and superiority in Lovecraftian circles). But again the emotive sounds owe less to abject horror and more to emotive grandiosity as layer upon layer of Ultar’s wall-of-sound takes you on the remainder of the journey. The tracks all seep into one another as Ultar make the most of the sheer magnitude of their concept and arrangements with those spacey guitars and cavernous but beautifully uplifting melodies. But Kadath also feels quite progressive with the sound taking form thanks to some breathtaking compositions and solid production work.

Whereas many bands have tried and failed to make the most of the potential of post-black metal, disappearing down into their own pretentious and overwrought paths – Ultar have come up with a standout album who vast beauty could well serve as the antidote to the odious subject matter of its inspiration. Like hope triumphing over evil Ultar have scaled the peaks of post black metal while so many others lie battered, broken and barely recognisable in the foothills.

(8.5/10 Reverend Darkstanley)

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