Label: Fetzner Death Records
Genre: Progressive/Atmospheric Black/Death Metal
Length: 01:19:29
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Cosmic Vision, a progressive/Atmospheric black/death metal project from Germany, formed in 2018 as a one-man band. After releasing its first album One Love to Last (The Stellar Sphere; Prologue) in 2021, the project is back with a second album In the Sign of Nature, released in June 2024 via Fetzner Death Records. Available both digitally and physically, this album immediately caught my attention from the first listen.
The album's origins date back to 2019 when the songs were initially written and recorded. After years of tweaking, the final versions were completed in 2021 and 2022. Despite each song standing on its own, they are all connected by the album’s central theme: the codependency between the forces of nature, living beings, and the self. This concept is reflected in the music, where each track creates a distinct atmosphere, balancing epic melodies with harsh and quiet moments. The result is a versatile melodic death metal album with influences from acoustic music, progressive metal, and black metal.
If you enjoy long albums with complex songwriting that blends different metal subgenres, this one is for you. The songs are lengthy, and the album kicks off with acoustic guitars that build up gradually. The first track, The Shore, gives us a taste of what's to come. It transitions from an atmospheric black metal style to a more polished melodic death metal sound. The guitars are melodic, the drums hit hard but ease up during calmer moments, especially at the start of each track. Keyboards create an atmosphere that persists throughout the album. Vocals range from black metal screams to death metal growls, with clean vocals adding a unique touch, especially in the first track The Shore and For My Will, For My Being. The vocal performance on these tracks is outstanding, with high-pitched screams and clean singing.
Some standout tracks for me include the instrumental Realm of the Fog, which features complex songwriting and structure. The following track, For My Will, For My Being, captivates with its epic intro, nuanced songwriting, and sharp vocals. When Dreams Decay also stands out with its melodies and rhythmic complexity, highlighting both the intricate compositions and impressive instrumental performances.
In the Sign of Nature is a captivating blend of atmospheric, black, and melodic death metal that explores the connection between nature, life, and the self. Each track offers a dynamic mix of calm acoustic moments and explosive energy, all tied together by a rich, atmosphere. Despite being only Cosmic Vision’s second release, the album shows impressive maturity in both composition and production. With its intricate melodies and emotional depth, it's a must-listen for fans of atmospheric and melodic death metal.