The songs on the sophomore are long and explore the Lord of the Rings mythos with reverb guitar tremolos and layers of synth. The sound production is raw and somewhat fuzzy, which creates vast musical dimensions full of cold, grim, and somber moments.

One of Nine aspired to perfect their craft on the second album. The majestic intro “Parley at the Gates” sets a medieval tone for the album, before the gushing streams of tremolo-picked riffs swell in with galloping drums, complemented by the grim rasps. Epic song structures reveal a mesmerizing quality about the atmosphere on “Age of Chains”. Musically, this seems like a logical step up from the debut full-length “Eternal Sorcery”. The music takes the key elements and expands on the cinematic and theatrical aspects.

Another epic track is “Dreadful Leap” featuring Hulder as the Tear Maiden. Apart from its aesthetic appeal, it offers soaring keyboards, a majestic, magical, ethereal atmosphere, and beautiful string sections. The music transports you to the dark realm of Morgoth, with its blast beats storming through scathing riffs. The instruments are perfectly layered, while the drums give a powerful impact, and the lead guitar work is epic.

It truly feels like One of Nine has transcended the limits of grandiosity, and in the same way, the songs are laden with hooks. Although they don’t reach the level of Summoning, one cannot overlook the mesmerizing fantasy feel on songs like “Of Desperate Valor”. One of the main elements that comes to mind is the rhythm guitar, the furious drums deliver straightforward blast beats with ethereal synth, and the slow drums later in the background.

The drums and scorching riffs are at the forefront, but it also holds the fantasy of dark, majestic black metal perfected by the quartet who weave their magic. One of Nine comprises Fellrider of Northern Unlight (guitar and vocals), Pharazon the Golden (drums), Gurthang the Black Sword (guitar), and Urmaiar the Rope (bass). There are plenty of gloriously blazing tremolo-picked riffs on the sophomore album to create a grandiose impression. “Behold The Shadow of My Thoughts” begins with an upbeat tempo; the riffing and the ghastly howling reflect on nineties black metal, but in its own unique fashion.

The echo effect of the vocals and keyboards makes them exceptional, also showing the influence of symphonic and dungeon synth black metal. With its medieval, somber atmosphere enshrouding the listener. “Quest of the Silmaril” emphasizes faster-paced drums and furious tremolo riffing, while the aura of the guitars enhances the freezing atmosphere.

There are some majestic choirs and chiming bells that add solemnity, all deepening the crystallized themes of grand castles, vast forests, and mountains. Throughout the album, One of Nine takes the listener on an epic journey through the dark worlds of The Silmarillion.

The galloping tempos are portrayed throughout the songs; some tracks are adventurous in nature, a stalwart quality, while others focus on a mystical, dark approach. They beautifully create the heroic atmosphere and immerse you in a mesmerizing reverie of Tolkien’s Middle-earth.

The listening reveals the hidden elements in the composition that make the music truly spellbinding, especially the grim rasping vocals, which remind me of Protector and Silenius of Summoning. None of the six tracks fluctuates in quality; on the contrary, One of Nine delivers a refreshing take on atmospheric black metal. The multiple layers of the synth hammering drums and horns recapture the march into war, the triumphant riffs, and the tremolo guitars, all have their moments.

The final song, “Death Wing Black Flame”, somehow reminds me of early Aeternus. It is a dark medieval hymn where the blazing riffs cut through the fast-paced drums, and the lead guitar provides a sense of melodic folk grandeur that dances to the repetitious tremolo riffing. The synth melodies and the soaring clean vocals elevate this song to the lofty heights and continue to shimmer; even the spoken narratives instill the music with a sense of Might and glory.

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