apanthropy

The Great Sea
The Noble Art of Desolation
AOP Records
Released: 4/25/25

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1 – The Water Remains
2 – Eden Unfolded
3 – The Maze
4 – No Peace Among Men
5 – Fading
6 – Upright in Nothing
7 – Walking at the Edge of Death
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The Great Sea are a German duo consisting of musicians JR and H, who have previously performed with acts such as Misery Speaks, Steel Death, and Oathcult. Having formed in 2022, the band has recently issued their debut full-length through AOP Records, entitled The Noble Art of Desolation. The Nobel Art of Desolation consists of six original songs and an instrumental, clocking in at slightly over 40 minutes of music. The Great Sea play a style of black metal most resembling the modern post-black metal movement that is currently enjoying its time in the center light. While not “pure” black metal, most of its elements are drawn from the vocal styling and most of the riff structures employed throughout the record. Production-wise, The Noble Art of Desolation is very modern and very clean, with a full digital spectrum at play, although a little more low-end could really bring out the kick drums and bass guitar. Those seeking an analog “raw” form of black metal will find the total opposite here; The Great Sea employ warm, digital production and a bountiful mixing job that genuinely fills up all the negative space in the songs.

Songs on The Noble Art of Desolation are not simple verse/chorus/verse affairs, but dense, heavily developed songs that often employ clean guitar intros or middle passages, conjoining them with uptempo drumming and desolate vocals, creating a signature sound that is generally heavier than most post-black metal output in the current scene.

Tracks such as ‘The Water Remains’ are long-form demonstrations of a desperate atmosphere merged with smart lyrical prowess and musicality, clocking in at a lengthy 8+ minutes, with lyrics that are engaging and interesting, something that is often missing in modern heavy metal.

‘The Maze’ makes a genuine effort to present itself as proper modern black metal, through riff structure, percussion, and vocal approach, coming off almost like Nachtmystium in its early chord progression and accompanying dissonant single-note phrase.

Album closer ‘Walking At The Edge Of Death,’ is another long track that expels desperation at the listener, utilizing everything from doomy chord sequences, single-note tremolo melodies, and hard-hitting almost-thrash like passages.

This is a solid debut effort for a duo of seasoned musicians, if you’re into modern black metal, post-black metal, or groups ranging from Alcest, to Harakiri For The Sky, to Nachtmystium, definitely give this a listen.

Band: The Great Sea
Label: AOP Records

This review was originally written for Voices from the Darkside.