third storm
third storm

Third Storm's Destructive Debut Full-Length "The Grand Manifestation"

third storm

Swedish quintet Third Storm are a resurrection, brought back from their death with 2014’s Tarîtîya Me EP following their late-1980s spur which produced only two rehearsal demos. Still, until now, there was no full-length to cement a fully-fledged narrative of blackened death metal that their brimming potential had teased. Their existence today (founding member Heval Bozarslan still present) certifies any throwback vibes they may exude through The Grand Manifestation, this much-awaited debut. Luckily, this new album also feels wholly (and appropriately) modern — a remarkable blend of reimagined old and imaginative new. Stream the whole thing below before its Friday release.

Balance is the name of Third Storm’s game: for every applicable adjective, there’s an equally opposite one, e.g. gritty and smooth, and this duality shines all the way through to the production value, even. As far as the songwriting goes, “Through the Eyes of the Omnipresent” nails black metal atmospherics among a latticework of complicated riffage, while “The Third Thought From the Sun” feels devilish in its own doominess, but also straightforwardness. It seems that wherever a creative angle could be cut, Third Storm cut it, but without attempting “genre transcendence” or up-ending the rules entirely. What makes The Grand Manifestation so satisfying is that it’s immediately relatable, but still able to surprise (and delight) you.

The Grand Manifestation releases Friday via Dark Descent. Pre-order on CD, black vinyl, and red/blue merge vinyl.

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