Khors

Khors, one of black metal’s best hidden secrets, continues to excel with their new album, Wisdom Of Centuries. For years now, Khors has dug in and transcended from an above-average raw sound to a gripping, atmospheric venture. Their last album, Return To Abandoned, signified the completion of the transition between the two styles. Wisdom Of Centuries further points away from standard black metal with prominent keyboards and an even split between instrumentals and full-fledged compositions.

Having an equal number of instrumentals is one of the weaker points of Wisdom Of Centuries. A standard intro and outro are present, the former of which takes the form of a slithering synth-y prelude. The other instrumentals reside in the middle of the album, which almost grinds the tight flow of the previous songs to a halt. “Horizong Glassy” is a mellow blend of light piano and loose guitar leads, but “Where the Grandeur of Mountains Embraces the Space” is an inept interlude incapable of keeping interest for two minutes.

The fleshed-out songs, with their winding structures and vivid nuances, fit much better to the progression that’s been made since The Flame Of Eternity's Decline. Glimpses of their ruthless early days peek out, but it’s a mature approach thanks to the improved production. “The Last Leaves” can be counted on for that stinging array of intensity, not hiding any bit of aggression from the listener. The chilly mood on “The Last Leaves” is enhanced by a series of keyboard strokes from Saturious, who once again helped out as a session keyboard player.

Unlike Return To Abandoned, which held off the loftiest track until near the end, Khors puts it right in the beginning. “Black Forest's Flaming Eyes” is a fantastic track in all aspects, from the thumping bass and fast percussion to the low-key outro. The title track aims for a heavy, dense vibe that doesn’t involve anything tremolo-picked. It suits the band well, better than the circles they run in with the languishing “The Only Time Will Take It Away.”

Though it’s not as substantial as Return To Abandoned,Wisdom Of Centuries can still be considered a worthwhile release for black metal fans. Khors has not gotten the attention they should be receiving, though the album being released on Candlelight Records might help push them into new crowds. Always engaging and full of light symphonic touches, Wisdom Of Centuries is an underground black metal gem worth digging around for.

(released September 11, 2012 on Candlelight Records)