Label: Fetzner Death Records
Genre: Black Metal
Length: 33:01
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Today I'm going to talk about the next album from black metal band Victim Path, entitled Lost in Stellar Dust. Scheduled for release on 6 May, the album will be available in both CD digipak and digital formats via German label Fetzner Death Records. But before I talk about the album itself, I'd like to give you a brief introduction to the band. Victim Path is a black metal project from Minsk, Belarus, formed in 2009. Their debut album, Surrounded by Pain, was released in 2012.
With Lost in Stellar Dust, the band return with melodic, aggressive black metal, featuring six tracks totalling 31 minutes and 1 second. This new opus takes a less frontal approach, relying more on technical structures and more worked-out compositions, marked by transitions and changes of rhythm. The sharp guitars retain a marked melodic dimension, while the drums impose their potency throughout the album. The heavy metal influences are clearly evident, notably in the solo at 3:49 on Built of Lies and at 0:16 on the eponymous Lost in Stellar Dust. Most of the tracks begin with calm melodies that gradually shift towards faster, more violent passages.
The vocals are varied, ranging from high-pitched screams and deep growls to clear vocals, with occasional elements of incantatory narration, such as at 2:49 on Divided into Zero, where melancholy, despair and a ritual atmosphere are blended. Production-wise, it remains true to the raw, authentic aesthetic of the genre.
There are a number of key moments that stand out for me. On Divided into Zero, at 4:03, a melodic outburst impresses with its intensity. The vocal performance on Faceless Nameless, particularly at 2:57, is striking, followed by a furious instrumental passage at 4:09. Built of Lies, my favourite track, is characterised by a subtle balance between aggression and more calm passages, where clear vocals are perfectly integrated into a well thought-out structure. The atmosphere of Polar Lights, from 2:34 onwards, is built around poignant melodies, while the drums, at 4:37, intensify the whole with a new, more virulent impulse. On Lost in Stellar Dust, the drums innovate once again at 3:11, before giving way to a truly gripping final solo. Finally, Edges of Insanity concludes the album on a dark and disturbing note, with a striking build-up of tension at 3:33, making it my second favourite track on the album.
So, Lost in Stellar Dust is a dense work, both masterful and deeply expressive. Victim Path asserts its identity by skilfully blending sonic violence, melodic richness and a dark, ritualistic atmosphere. An intense, well-crafted album that will undoubtedly please black metal worshippers looking for a sound that's both traditional and daring.
You can order your copy on Fetzner Death Records - Website or on the Bandcamp below