FROSTMOON ECLIPSE – As Time Retreats

RELEASE YEAR: 2025
BAND URL: https://lnk.to/astimeretreats

Long-running Italian black metal stalwarts Frostmoon Eclipse embarked on something that felt like a new chapter (or even a new era of sorts, if you will) back in 2019 when they released the near-flawless and brilliantly evocative Worse Weather to Come via Immortal Frost Productions. Its follow-up, namely the thoroughly solid EP titled Rustworn, consolidated and refined their unique take on infinitely dark music with a strong emotional pull.

As Time Retreats, which, first of all, sports a great and imaginative title, is yet another accomplished and highly effective musical affair that does a fabulous job at weaving reflective lyrics, brooding riffs, and yearning vocals together in a seamless manner. Atmosphere is the keyword throughout, and the record more or less maintains its momentum and compelling aura from beginning to end without losing the plot, which is obviously commendable, but it also displays just how confident and organic this output truly is; Frostmoon Eclipse are totally in the pocket here and right on the money in terms of playing their hearts out in a sincere, honest manner. It may be rooted in black metal, but it looks, sounds, and feels like infinitely more than that, and these chaps have certainly honed their ability to infuse their forlorn riffs and bleak passages with an almost overwhelming sense of desolation and gloom. The closing track, “Eschaton,” is a slow-burning epic that ensures a fittingly climactic ending to the morose journey. Its first few minutes may be slightly meandering, but it makes up for that a little more than halfway through.    

Although not as thoroughly moving and unshakable as Worse Weather to Come or Rustworn are, the eight-track As Time Retreats is a superlative piece of work that shows sophistication and class with respect to the songwriting without sacrificing a certain unfiltered and undiluted sense of raw emotion and soul-destroying woe. Allow me to also state that if the album artwork alone is not enough to suck you in and capture your imagination then there is simply no hope for you.