Consistently thoughtful and superbly executed, Laio is a fine album. Balmog, The Spanish black metal outfit responsible for the record, have really dug deep for this release, allowing themselves the indulgence of throwing in perhaps their widest set of tunes yet in terms of sonics whilst still retaining their core sound, a sound which has brought them thus far in what is now a near-twenty year recording career.

Whilst the foreboding spite of ‘proper’ black metal pervades the album – and gloriously so, on second track Tongue in Pieces and the vicious Like God Who Knows – the band aren’t afraid to inject variety. Vocalist/guitarist Balc often affords himself the luxury of easing off the gas, sometimes opting for a declamatory dark croak, at others a smooth Gothic croon that might remind you of Peter Murphy or Andrew Eldritch. It’s a crucial point of difference that definitely adds a different dimension to the tracks, especially as the album twists and turns to it’s excellent conclusion.

The last three tracks in particular really see the band stretching out and blossoming, building on the solid start that the album makes to really explode with standout track Mashalam (where the spirit of Voivod runs strong) and it’s following pieces The Silence of the Trumpets and Getsemani. These three tracks really show the band in their best light, and certainly underline the vast progress the band seem to be making currently.

If they keep on this upward trajectory then the next Balmog album may well be something very special indeed. But for now just be content to soak up some very fine, progressively-minded black metal indeed. ‘Laio’ may mean ‘lament’ in the band’s native tongue, but I’m sure there will be no regrets when they come to look back on this album in years to come…

Laio releases on May 23rd.