CROMLECH presents a first glimpse into its upcoming offering

May 9 , 2025 | 11:11

CROMLECH was already launched by the band’s sole member Impurus in 1994. Much of what would become the first album was written back then under the title “Cold and Stiff”, originally meant as a demo. But for various reasons, it wasn’t properly recorded and released until 2023 – nearly 30 years later. During the timespan when CROMLECH lay dormant, Impurus wasn`t inactive at all, though, but made a name for himself being the drummer of and as such recording numerous albums with DIES ATER, CRYOGENIC and ALBEZ DUZ.

Listening to CROMLECH`s second album “Of Owls and Eels”, which Darkness Shall Rise has the pleasure to unleash on various formats, it`s strikingly obvious that such music couldn`t have been created by newcomers. “Of Owls and Eels”, while musically and atmospherically definitely being a black metal album, is also a daring effort of a seasoned musician expressing himself in an authentic way without paying attention to genre conventions. Thus, we are presented with a diverse and highly enjoyable album, where cold black metal riffs and high-level drumming merge seamlessly with eerie keyboards and surreal, almost hallucinatory soundscapes. A journey through shadow, memory and dream.

“Of Owls and Eels” is dynamic, unpredictable and unmistakably quirky – brutal in places, but also melancholic and touched by a sense of quiet reverie. Due to Impurus`s outstanding skills as both a songwriter and a musician he managed to weave various elements together in a splendid way. The result is an album of intense atmospheric weight – seven songs that completely transcend the limitations often associated with solo black metal projects. It’s almost unfathomable that such depth and scope could emerge from the vision and hands of just one man.

Anyone familiar with DIES ATER and CRYOGENIC is likely to find similarities to said bands in CROMLECH`s second album too. Some of the Doom of ALBEZ DUZ has crept into CROMLECH as well. Especially “The Quiet Witness” would also fit on an ALBEZ DUZ album. “Of Owls and Eels” is certainly much more than the sum of its parts, though.

“Of Owls and Eels” will be released on June 6th and is available as LP in 2 colors, MC, digipack-CD and digital via Darkness Shall Rise (https://darknessshallrise.de).