Review THE GREAT SEA “Noble Art of Desolation”

The Great Sea is a new band with well-known members. The origins of the band can be found in 2022 when JR (Long Distance Calling) and SH (Ordeal & Plight) started a collaboration to follow their passion for black metal. This was the beginning of The Great Sea and “Noble Art of Desolation” is the title of the highly anticipated debut album.

The Great Sea crafted seven songs that are majestic black metal anthems. Furious power and atmospheric parts are the main contributors, echoing in each of the songs on “Noble Art of Desolation”.

“The Water Remains” is the starting point for this impressive metal adventure. It is the first leg of a journey into a world of sounds that move the listener no matter what feeling they evoke. The opener begins rather restrained and soft. It is a peaceful introduction to the album before a bloodcurdling scream breaks the silence. What was a breeze in the beginning turns into a mighty storm that gains intensity as it progresses. The album couldn’t start better, as the song represents the musical vision of the two driving forces in a great way. Generally kept on an aggressive sound level, there are enough tempo changes and larger soundscapes woven into these eight minutes that represent the creative approach of the duo. These songs are much more than just a blastbeat inferno. Tracks like the opener, but also the cinematic power of “No Peace Among Man” are well considered songs, where musical filigree and Black Metal intensity unite. “No Peace Among Man” for example is a masterfully sketched black metal song, which on the one hand shows a hypnotizing rhythm part, but on the other hand shifts gears to a blasting black metal smasher. These are the poles that create the thrilling spirit of the album, and placing the more peaceful interlude “Fading” on the tracklist shows a great feeling for the arc of tension. In doing so, the guys keep the overall expression and spirit of the album alive, which acts as the clue that holds the elements together.

“Noble Art of Desolation” is a masterfully crafted debut album, driven by guys who unleash their black metal passion while also having the right stuff in their toolkit to turn their passion into reality. This longplayer is an epic debut album with songs that spray a majestic spirit related to the force of nature. There are slow rolling waves and at the same time, there is a stormy momentum that shows the power of nature. The songs on this album are like the musical equivalent, and if you like atmospheric black metal, there is no way around this album.