Ars Moriendi, the solo project of Arsonist, has been carving its path since 2002 in atmospheric and progressive black metal with singular contours. With Leur esprit marche dans les ténèbres, released in June 2025 via Archaic Sound, he delivers a dense and demanding work, eight tracks for nearly an hour of dark, hypnotic journeying. The long, eponymous opening track and Trouver la fontaine each stretch over ten minutes, true sonic narratives where abrasive riffs, slow progressions, and ambient layers intertwine. More concise, L’abbé de Monte-à-Regret in two parts and Puisqu’elle est éternelle provide moments of respite while maintaining an underlying tension.
Vladislav Redkin production highlights Arsonist sharp guitars and torn vocals without smoothing out their rough edges. Sur la lune ou aux enfers stands out as one of the album’s peaks, followed by the final cover, The Reign of Chaos and Old Night, which integrates surprisingly seamlessly. The themes, haunted by spirituality, history, and the shadow of the underworld, further immerse the listener in this universe.
The visual atmosphere extends this concept: the cover, created by Christophe Goncalves, stands out with vivid colors and a bloody depiction, creating an intense and striking visual impact. This choice of bright hues, unusual in black metal, reflects Ars Moriendi singular approach, always seeking to break conventions and offer a striking auditory and visual experience.
Leur esprit marche dans les ténèbres is not an album that reveals itself all at once. It demands careful listening, but unveils new nuances with each playthrough. Faithful to its approach for over twenty years, Ars Moriendi delivers here a work that is personal, dark, and ambitious, confirming its unique place in the landscape of atmospheric and progressive black metal.
- Bandcamp: Archaic Sound
- Facebook: Ars Moriendi
- Label: Archaic Sound
