Ancient Torment returns with Follow the Echo of Curses, released on August 1st via Eternal Death and limited to just 300 copies. The band’s first full-length album immediately plunges the listener into a dark, ritualistic atmosphere. The universe they create revolves around blasphemy, desire, esotericism, misanthropy, self-destruction, and death worship—themes that permeate every note and every breath of the vocals. The album unfolds like a journey through darkness, with each track resonating with an almost tangible inner energy.
Formed in Rhode Island, Ancient Torment took their time refining this album, recorded in the winter of 2024 in an isolated forest studio. The mix and mastering bring an astonishing clarity to such raw and oppressive black metal, allowing the sharp riffs, heavy drums, and atmospheric nuances to stand out without losing the band’s characteristic intensity. The limited edition and the detailed visual work reinforce the sense of a unique project, designed as an almost ritualistic experience for the listener.
Musically, the album alternates between fast, violent passages and slower, heavier moments that let the tension breathe. The guitars shift between icy riffs and mournful melodies, while the drums and vocals maintain a constant, sometimes hypnotic tension that fully immerses the listener in the themes explored. Tracks like Hanging from a Dead Star and Rotting Temperament showcase the band’s ability to blend aggression with dark atmosphere, making the listening experience visceral rather than a mere succession of songs.
Follow the Echo of Curses establishes Ancient Torment as a serious force in the contemporary black metal scene. The album doesn’t just follow established codes—it lives them, transcends them, and transforms them into an experience that speaks as much to the soul as it does to the ears. For anyone seeking authentic, intense, and thoughtful black metal, this album is an immersion into the deepest darkness, revealing more of its fascinating bleakness with every listen.
- Label: Eternal Death
- Bandcamp: Ancient Torment
- Facebook: Ancient Torment
- Instagram: Ancient Torment
