To label Kuar Nhial as strictly post-metal or black metal would be selling the Belgian trio short. The two genres flow together in their music, transitioning from slow, epic metal to blast-heavy black metal in a heartbeat. The combination allows the trio to flourish by juxtaposing rawness and atmosphere, like on the album’s second track, “Nonam.”
At other times, they adopt a more mid-paced approach, such as on “Spiraal” and “Lamantae,” the latter half of the record, employing effects and a more atmospheric, almost psychedelic, take on post-metal than anything resembling aggressive black metal. Anyone who is a fan of atmospheric or post-black metal, or just post-metal in general, should have a listen to what Kuar Nhial are doing; Kuar Nhial is their debut album, available next weekend on Consouling Sounds.
