Six years after the critically acclaimed Cosmicism, French black metal maestros The Great Old Ones return with Kadath, their fifth studio album and a full-length adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath. Released via Season of Mist, Kadath is a sprawling, immersive journey through Lovecraft’s surreal and otherworldly landscapes. It delivers over an hour of atmospheric black metal that is as colossal as the cosmic horrors it seeks to depict.
From the outset, Kadath showcases The Great Old Ones‘ ability to intertwine grandeur and unease. The album opens with “Me, the Dreamer,” establishing a reflective yet ominous tone through acoustic guitars and subtle melodies that build into a towering wall of sound. This dynamic is present throughout the album—tracks like “Under the Sign of Koth” and “Leng” unfold with intricate layers of riffing, ominous soundscapes, and relentless drumming, each piece expanding and evolving organically.
Unlike many black metal acts, The Great Old Ones avoid relying solely on aggression, instead embracing a more nuanced approach. Their long compositions allow for complex developments, weaving Lovecraftian dread into every riff and atmospheric swell. Their songwriting has an intentional sense of alienation and otherness that perfectly captures the essence of Lovecraft’s work. The band’s use of unconventional structures and underlying dissonance gives the impression of a world teetering on the brink of chaos—a recurring theme in Lovecraft’s mythos.
The highlight of Kadath lies in its ability to balance raw intensity with meticulous storytelling. Songs like “The Gathering” offer a much-needed moment of introspection, pulling listeners into the story’s melancholic depths before launching into the album’s most ambitious track, “Astral Void (End of the Dream).” This finale, clocking in at over 14 minutes, is an epic culmination of the album’s themes, blending melancholic melodies, relentless blast beats, and cinematic soundscapes to create a cosmic crescendo.
Throughout the album, the drumming deserves special praise. Rather than being buried under layers of guitars and vocals, the percussion takes an active role in shaping the atmosphere. The drummer’s versatility—ranging from delicate cymbal work to thunderous tom fills and carefully placed blast beats—keeps the album engaging even in its quieter moments. The drums are not merely an accompaniment; they are a vital force driving the narrative forward.
With Kadath, The Great Old Ones have crafted an intricate and absorbing black metal masterpiece that honors Lovecraft’s vision while pushing their sound to new heights. This is not just an album; it’s an experience—a deep dive into a world of cosmic horror and surreal beauty. Every note feels intentional, every transition purposeful, resulting in an album that is as rewarding as it is relentless. For fans of atmospheric black metal and Lovecraftian themes, Kadath is essential listening. The wait may have been long, but the result is nothing short of extraordinary.
As The Great Old Ones prepare to bring this material to life on stage at Fortress Festival next May, it’s clear that Kadath is poised to become a cornerstone of their already formidable discography. This is extreme metal at its most ambitious—and most thrilling.
Tracklist:
- Me, the Dreamer
- Those from Ulthar
- In the Mouth of Madness
- Under the Sign of Koth
- The Gathering
- Leng
- Astral Void (End of the Dream)
