Last spring, the young Ukrainian atmospheric black metal/ambient duo Labyrinthus Stellarum from Odesa independently released their second studio album Vortex of the Worlds in digital format. Meanwhile, Archivist Records handled the CD release, and Northern Silence Productions put out the vinyl edition – ensuring that fans who crave more than just a digital download could add a physical copy of their favourite band’s latest masterpiece to their collection. This time, the musicians continue the journey they began on their debut album Tales of the Void, blending a black metal foundation with elements of space ambient and electronica, significantly expanding the horizons of their musical conception. Once again, they have succeeded in merging the aesthetics of light and the beauty of the stars with the abyss of chaos and the fury of darkness, transforming dissonance into something cohesive and thrilling.
Space black metal with ambient elements is not a new genre, though it remains far from mainstream – often too complex in its metaphysical labyrinths or as deep as black holes, hiding either infinity or total nothingness. There’s no straightforward aggression or monotonous hatred here, nor is there the rebellious drive of protest. Instead, everything revolves around the mysteries of the universe, subconscious revelations, and portals opening into the unknown. Labyrinthus Stellarum doesn’t just embrace darkness, they study it, deconstructing it atom by atom in search of its very essence. It’s clear that these Ukrainian musicians approach their creative ideas with sincerity. There’s no pursuit of fame, no imitation of legendary black metal bands, and no forced adherence to genre’s conventions. Instead, there’s a pure enthusiasm to fill the void – not just with background music, but with something innovative and unique. What makes their attempt remarkable is that they achieve this without veering into avant-garde, psychedelia, jazz, or post-hardcore influences. Yet, they have still managed to carve out their own distinct style without resorting to experimentation for the sake of experimentation. Vortex of the Worlds is their attempt to transcend boundaries, to pass through a cosmic portal of their own musical imagination, creating a truly idiosyncratic sonic landscape.
The album opens in a way that’s more typical to post-black metal. The introductory track “Transcendence” begins with a melancholic intro, blending long soothing ambient passages with monotonous yet emotionally intense black metal guitar riffs. The screams of keyboardist and vocalist Alexander Andronati serves more as a complement to the aggressive black metal elements, mutating into an artistic texture and weaving into the music as a distant, atmospheric layer. Space black metal often employs this approach, subduing the vocal lines to create the illusion that the voice is fully embedded within the musical landscape. There are definite post-rock vibes throughout, though the band never drifts into shoegaze or dream pop territory. The final track “Vortex of the Worlds” is both melodic and, in a way, tender, yet it remains emotionally fervent. In fact, the entire album is deeply charged with reverent feelings. Despite the subtlety and refinement of the keyboard arrangements, Vortex of the Worlds is, at its core, still relentless black metal record.
A solemn atmosphere often defines their songs – tracks like “Interstellar Wandering” and “The Light of Dying Worlds” embody this feeling without pushing it to the level of immense epicness. There’s no traditional symphonics here; all synthetic elements are focused on cosmic soundscapes, melancholy, and a state of serenity, only occasionally disrupted by distant, subdued screams. The synth arrangements throughout the album are relatively simple – but in a good way. They’re not overly intricate, excessive, or dissonant; instead, they are insightful, profound, and easy to absorb. At times, you can almost forget you’re listening to black metal, as the ambient passages stretch long and meditative, creating a ritualistic atmosphere ideal for contemplating interstellar medium and cosmic nebulae. The lyrics correlate to this experience, focusing on celestial themes and science fiction. Strangely enough, the album emits more light than darkness – but it’s the light of stars and obscure galaxies, not the light traditionally associated with the moral dichotomies of dying Abrahamic religions.
The cover art of Vortex of the Worlds perfectly complements the album, showcasing the symbolism of the dangers lurking in the vastness of space with stunning colorwork and intricate details. This record is filled with a thirst for knowledge and extra-terrestrial mysteries – like a key capable of navigating between light and darkness, beauty and grotesqueness, infusing reality with something otherworldly. Labyrinthus Stellarum’s elegiac journey into the cosmic abyss is only just a beginning, and with their second album, they are steadily carving their place among the notable bands in the space black metal scene.
https://archivist-records.com/?s=Labyrinthus+Stellarum
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