It’s always the case not far into any given new year that I find myself still looking back into 2021 for albums to investigate and lose myself in while I bide my time for the new year to have more offerings that I can pick and choose from. Every time, though, I continuously find at least one effort that really stands out amongst the rest of what I heard and instantly makes me wonder if it could’ve made it onto my year-end lists simply because the material in question is simply that compelling. This time around, it’s with the debut effort from the one-man post-black metal act of Mistchaser that I find myself in that very situation yet again.
When you’ve already been part of multiple acts that vary in many different forms across both black and death metal, it makes one wonder what else such a musician is capable of should they decide to go off on their own to follow their own path wherever it may lead them with whatever sound as the final result. In the case of Mistchaser, it’s a gripping creation of post-black metal that is tied to the very fabric of nature like a vast swathe of other such black metal acts but it’s through personal ingenuity and the great benefit of previous experience that makes “Kairos” a true treat like few others. Rather than taking all that the sprawling gorgeous realm of nature can offer, it’s with the five tracks of “Kairos” that feel more focused to that of a hidden sanctuary deep within the impenetrable rainforest where all life flows from; the cradle of the jungle itself. It’s from those foaming waters and worn-down boulders that Mistchaser accomplishes an experience that’s just as atmospheric as it is filled with riffs that pull you ever further into the vast ocean of leaves, vine, and unfettered wilderness that effortlessly stands as an intimidating yet endlessly seductive entity that begs you to lose yourself further in its reaches as this debut never stops at simply enchanting the listen. Right from its beginning, “Kairos” works tirelessly to immerse the listener in a wondrous realm that throngs upon throngs of acts in this particular vein of black metal strive to achieve even half as well, yet it’s on the very first go that Mistchaser has managed in impress, amaze, and mystify.
A debut of this caliber is the exact sort of thing that many of us wish we could experience much more often for efforts like this truly do have their own special magic about them that permeates every possible facet of the creation right from the get-go, and it would be almost insulting to insinuate that Mistchaser didn’t bring it to life gloriously. “Kairos” is an enchanting work by all accounts and is easily one of the best possible things that Mistchaser could’ve done with its debut, and I can only imagine what else the band is capable of creating which I hope we won’t have to wait too long in order to experience.
LISTEN to “Kairos” on Bandcamp here.
LIKE Mistchaser on Facebook here.
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