Nightfly After the demise of folky black metal outfit Agalloch in 2016 guitarist and vocalist John Haughm has wasted no time and early 2017 sees the release of Obsidian Arc by his new venture Pillorian. He’s joined forces with drummer Trevor Matthews (Infernus, Uada) and bassist, guitarist Stephen Parker (Maestus, Arkhum).

Anyone still mourning the loss of Agalloch should be cheered up by the fact that Obsidian Arc is a cracking album and dare I say it, without taking anything away from them, better than anything Agalloch released. Whilst there’s inevitably going to be a connection and some of Agalloch’s sound in here, though still present there’s much less of the folk elements and Obsidian Arc is more of a pure black metal album. Apart from Agalloch probably the nearest reference in sound from the member’s previous/currently active bands is Uada. Seven tracks in total of black metal with strong hooks, haunting and melancholic melodies with crushing riffs. Pick of the bunch has got to be Archaen Divinity with its spine tingling slow opening riff packed with plenty of groove until it slips into ferocious blast beat territory. The rest of the albums not far behind though, each song packing considerable punch with memorable hooks that have me hitting replay as soon as it’s all over.

Whilst those drawn to Agalloch for the strong folk elements might be slightly disappointed with the reduction in them here. Nevertheless, most fans of any of the bands associated with the three members of Pillorian should find plenty to get stuck into and enjoy on Obsidian Arc.