Absolution

This album fulfills it's task perfectly. It's packed with harsh vocals, but somehow feels tranquil and delicate. If you compare this to Agalloch's "Ashes Against the Grain" being like wandering through snowy and desolate mountains. This is like walking through a beautiful and wild forest, while not being welcomed there. Ashbringer has the skill to include harsh, raw and gritty sounds, while still having a immensively immersive and atmospheric experience that feels real and serene. The album is black metal, but it doesn't feel like it at all. The clean and dissonant combination with this style of mixing has such a emotional and inoffensive feel. If you want tons of emotion and a unique sounding album this is it.