Blackbraid - Blackbraid 2

 My Review on Blackbraid-Blackbraid 2


Release : 7.7.2023
Label      :Independent
Origin     : Usa
Rating    : At the end


Once again, the algorithm did its job – Blackbraid suddenly appeared on my playlist, and for once it hit the mark. This is a band with such depth and musicality that I probably should’ve discovered them much earlier. After listening through everything they've released so far, I decided to review their second album, Blackbraid II. And with their third album dropping in August, I’ll definitely be covering that as well.

Blackbraid is a one-man black metal project from the Adirondack region of New York State, created by Sgah’gahsowáh (Jon Krieger), who is of Mohawk descent. The project launched in 2022 and quickly gained attention for its unique blend of atmospheric black metal and themes rooted in Indigenous identity, nature, resistance, and spirituality.The debut album, Blackbraid I, was released in the summer of 2022 and became an underground success thanks to its strong melodies, raw production, and distinct voice. The follow-up, Blackbraid II, dropped in July 2023, expanding the sound with more variation, weight, and compositional detail.A third album, Blackbraid III, is slated for release in August 2025. In just a few years, Blackbraid has established itself as one of the most compelling and original voices in modern American black metal.

Review:

Blackbraid II is a confident and powerful sophomore release that builds on the sound of the debut while stretching its creative boundaries. The album shifts between brutal, melodic black metal and deep atmospheric passages with spiritual undertones and folk elements. This contrast gives the record a sense of journey – both musical and thematic – without ever feeling scattered.

The production is sharp and full without sacrificing rawness, and the vocals are a consistent strength – often desperate, hungry, and storytelling in tone. The drums drive the music forward, and the riff work is inspired, especially on tracks like “The Spirit Returns,” “A Song of Death on Winds of Dawn,” and “Twilight Hymn of Ancient Blood,” which stand out as major highlights.

Instrumental interludes like “Spells of Moon and Earth” and “Celestial Passage” offer moments of reflection. While they can disrupt the flow slightly, they also contribute to the overall atmosphere.

The album closes with a cover of Bathory’s classic A Fine Day to Die – a bold move and a respectful tribute, though it doesn’t quite match the raw power of the original.

All in all, Blackbraid II is a well-crafted and ambitious album that confirms Blackbraid as a significant voice in modern black metal. It balances nature mysticism and ancestral spirit with technical strength and melodic precision – delivering music that both tears and moves.

Rating : 7/10

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