Withering Soul | Passage Of The Arcane | Liminal Dread Productions

 

Release Date: November 14, 2025

Format: Digital / CD

Genre: Blackened Melodic Death Metal

Country: United States

From the dark corridors of Chicago’s extreme metal scene, Withering Soul returns with their fifth full-length, “Passage Of The Arcane,” a release that continues their long journey through the intersection of melody and shadow. Formed in 2004 by Christopher and Mykil, the band has evolved into a disciplined quartet of experienced musicians who have built their name through consistency and atmosphere. Over the years, they’ve performed across North America and sharpened their sound into something distinctly their own, a blend of Scandinavian-inspired aggression and American precision, cloaked in mysticism.

“Passage Of The Arcane” unfolds as a cohesive journey into occult storytelling and melodic darkness. The production, handled by Dennis Israel, captures the band’s mix of chilling guitar harmonies and rhythmic precision with a clarity that keeps the aggression sharp. The guitars weave between piercing tremolo passages and melodic twin leads, while the drumming pushes forward with measured fury rather than chaos. Christopher’s vocals have a hoarse venom that complements the lyrical concept, tales of human downfall and spectral transformation.

The album thrives on variety. Songs like “Attrition Horizon” and “Grievance Eludes The Light” charge ahead with melodic fury reminiscent of Dissection and Dark Fortress, while “Gallery Of The End” and “Burden Of The Valiant” stretch into longer forms, combining hypnotic riffs and mournful harmonies. “Trajectory,” featuring a guest solo from Nick “Exhul” Morgan, adds a soaring touch to the midsection, where melody and aggression fuse into a cold, cinematic vision.

There’s a balance across the album, the guitars maintain their dominance without drowning the rhythm section, and the drumming gives structure and propulsion to the melodic phrasing. The bass adds depth, anchoring the songs while enhancing the darker edges of the mix. Lyrically, the album explores mythic and supernatural themes, told through verses that mirror the atmosphere of cursed stories and doomed souls.

The compositions are elaborate without excess, melodic without softening the aggression, and atmospheric without losing focus. Withering Soul shows once again that blackened melodic death metal can retain its emotional pull without sacrificing technical strength. It’s a mature, solid release from a band that has refined its craft through years of persistence and vision, a reminder that darkness can be beautiful when shaped with care. A strong addition to the band’s discography and a rewarding listen for those who appreciate the melodic tension between sorrow and ferocity.

Score: 7.5

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