Huge thanks to everyone who took the time to read my thoughts on this upcoming release, set to drop on October 24, 2025. I also want to give a big shoutout to Immortal Frost Productions for once again giving me early access to review this record — it’s always appreciated. As a first-time listener of Asphagor, this album was an incredible introduction to their sound, and I’m genuinely looking forward to hearing what they do next.

The album opens with a haunting ambient piece that sets the tone perfectly, immersing you immediately in the cold, abyssal world the band has crafted. From the moment the second track begins, the sound expands into something full and forceful, hitting you square in the face with its depth. The guitars are tuned low, slow, and heavy, carrying a deep resonance that matches the album’s overarching atmosphere. The pacing is deliberate, giving each note room to breathe, while the vocals strike with controlled, gravelly power that complements the instrumentation beautifully. About halfway through, the song opens up to reveal intricate guitar work and powerful vocal echoes that heighten the sense of vastness and emotion.

Soon after, another ambient passage arrives — a sonic voyage through dark waters. You can almost hear the creaking wood of a ship and the rain lashing against its hull, accompanied by unsettling whispers that feel alive within the mix. This section sounds exactly like what’s depicted on the album cover: a descent into the deep. As a fan of layered, emotive soundscapes, I found this sequence especially striking. It shows that Asphagor understand how to make music that paints vivid images in the mind — the mark of a band deeply connected to the mood and narrative of their work.

The heaviness returns in full force with a dense wall of guitars that recall death/doom textures, slow and thick, underscored by grounded drumming and relentless double-kick patterns. The black metal vocals soar above, raw and unflinching, while small guitar details like string rakes and tremolo picking give the song both chaos and texture. As the intensity subsides, the track rebuilds into a powerful ending layered with voices — a chant-like conclusion that feels both ritualistic and cathartic.

A well-placed mid-album track follows, giving the record breathing space without losing momentum. The steady chug of the guitars teases an eruption that never quite comes, creating tension that leads naturally into what follows. The flow between these moments feels intentional, just as the first two songs did — Asphagor clearly understand how to build an album as one continuous experience.

What comes next is a true highlight: the drums hit hard, the tempo drives forward, and the energy is infectious — the kind of song that makes you want to throw your fist in the air. Everything about it works: the sharp vocal delivery, the tight musicianship, and the fierce momentum. Midway through, a blistering guitar solo breaks through with slick hammer-ons and fiery precision before the track winds down with lighter, individually plucked chords that bring a sense of calm resolution. It’s a standout moment — easily my favorite piece on the album.

After that surge, the album breathes again. Thunder rolls, faint lightning crackles, and minimal guitars with gentle delay tie the elements together into another carefully crafted soundscape. Asphagor know exactly when to let the listener drift and when to strike, and this balance is part of what makes The Aphotic Vortex so effective.

When the rhythm reenters, it does so with a commanding, march-like drum pattern that gives the next section an almost militaristic presence. The drums then cut out, revealing clean guitars with intricate hammer-ons that instantly evoke early Gojira — an unexpected but welcome texture in Asphagor’s sound. The interplay between these melodic passages and bursts of blackened aggression makes this track one of the most dynamic on the record. The blast beats paired with the ringing of the ride cymbal add a shining layer of intensity, solidifying this as a close runner-up for the album’s best moment.

As the record moves into its final stretch, the band close out with two incredibly strong tracks that feel like the culmination of everything built so far. The penultimate piece is steeped in atmosphere.

Overall / Summary
The Aphotic Vortex is a rich and immersive record, one that brilliantly blends black metal with textured ambience & thoughtful pacing.

Every section feels deliberate, each transition meaningful, creating an album that plays like a complete narrative rather than a collection of songs. The musicianship is sharp, the atmosphere vivid, and the emotional scope vast. With its balance of aggression and atmosphere, Asphagor deliver a cohesive and memorable experience that rewards listeners who immerse themselves fully.

Rating: 8.5/10 – A dark, cinematic, and powerfully realized journey through sound and shadow.