Referencing the iconic 19th century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, the Indonesian black metal duo Tombstone achieve existential extremes on The Philosophy of Eternal Recurrence. The final piece in their Unholy Trilogy album tetrarch (following The Awakening of Darkness and To the Existence of Light), members Thorner and Nirrojimm ponder mortality across forty minutes of unadulterated blackened atmosphere.
With the ferocity of Mayhem still flowing through cold veins, Tombstone‘s dynamic moments are on-par with modern post-black metal acts alike Ghost Bath or Deafheaven. “A Voice Full of Menace” perfectly captures the band’s ability be both ethereal and merciless.
Later in the album, a doom influence dominates, with the slow pace of “The Mist” gently crescendoing to cathartic Woods of Ypres depths.
All in all, The Philosophy of Eternal Recurrence is tremendous. Each riff has purpose; each vocal growl and shriek holds true pain. Tombstone have delivered a must-listen for those within the inner circle of modern, melodic black metal.