Before I get into this review, I’d like to say a few things.

Firstly, this album marks my first experience with the band Atra Vetosus. It was up next for review over at Immortal Frost Productions. There are six tracks in total, ranging from around 8 to 10 minutes—except for “Where Limbs Become Trees,” which has a shorter runtime of 1:55.

I always preface my reviews like this: I won’t dissect every single aspect, but I will highlight some of my favourite moments that stood out during the album’s runtime.

Without further ado, let’s get into it.

Track1:

Within the first few moments, I knew this one was going to be special. It’s rare for an album to connect with me so quickly. The ambient-introduction is crystal clear and immersive—lulling me into awe with its clean, calming sound. The drumming, paired with a rich, well-textured, thick bass line, is slow-paced but immediately impressive. The tuning of the drums is just amazing.

When the song shifts pace, the mix remains brilliant: guitar chords, bass lines, and anguished-style vocals all showcase stunning musicianship right from the start. At 9:42, this track offers so much and changes direction often—a quality I deeply appreciate, especially in music this diverse.

One standout happens at the 3:26 mark, right after the mystical drum fill: a chunky, headbang-worthy section with punctual 4/4 drums and ambient textures that ring like high-pitched church bells, adding dynamic contrast. Then around 4:16, the 4/4 rhythm returns as the vocals shift from anguish to a deep, spoken, melodic style—a transition the band executes exceptionally well.

Well done on this opener! As someone who’d never heard Atra Vetosus before, this track had me hooked immediately—I was moving during the heavy parts and mesmerized by the ambient segments, particularly that beautiful ending. What beauty… great work!

Track 3:

Another track I loved! I say this a lot, but I’m a huge fan of atmospheric Black metal, so an ambient intro hits home. This track delivers exactly that, and the uplifting soundscapes feels wonderfully executed. The main melodies enchant me, and the drums are crisply tuned to match the instruments. Props to the drummer.

The vocals in the opening minutes—the raspiness—fit the track perfectly. After the blast beats and shrieking section, the closing minutes are just as strong. They’re full of emotion, and I appreciate how the bass returns prominently in parts. That ending portion feels sorrowful yet uplifting—perhaps bittersweet is the right word.

As an ex-drummer, I also admired the snare accents in the slow parts—they lend a cool “bouncing” feel. Again, a brilliant track!

Track4:

This one blew me away—nothing short of that. The angelic opening with graceful piano and enchanting violin feels like it’s from the heavens. That serene intro leads into a thick bass launch into a blast-beat section. The drums—snare, kick, hi-hats—hit hard, later giving way to calmer passages as the track shifts again.

By now, it's clear that the band excels at crafting emotion-filled soundscapes, layered like operatic fullness. Around 4:44, clean vocals enter—brilliant for this style. I could actually hear every single word of the clean vocals, which made them even more captivating. For instance, the line “each day, I walk the same path” really stuck with me and made me want to know more about the lyrics. Hopefully the CD booklet will let me dive deeper into the meaning while re-listening.

Track 5

Even though this one has the shortest runtime, it’s just as potent. I’m always tinkering with guitar rigs, and I’d love to know what was used here—the tones are super clean and mystical, each plucked string echoing like an interrupted spiderweb.

Track 6

I won’t repeat myself too much—if I detailed every moment, I’d sound like I’m rambling. So here’s the concise takeaway: this closing track is perfectly placed as an album ender and executes with justice. It sounds destined for this role—flawless in structure. The vocals around 6:18 are absolutely insane, showcasing a vocalist with mastery over his voice. Switching from full-throated agony to deep, guttural tones in such a short span—I loved it.

Overall

Having experienced the album from start to finish, I can safely say: This is a band i’ll be watching closely. Undying Splendour reminds me why I get frustrated that there are so many great bands still flying under the rada… it’s a real discovery win.

From beginning to end, the soundscape is rich, vibrant, shifting between mystical ambience and well-produced black metal. That range is a massive talent, especially when delivered so well…

All in all, I’m happy to give this album a solid 9/10.

- Blackened Soundscape.