Description
Delving deep into the abyss of sorrow and despair, Adrift Alone marks the long-awaited full-length debut from Dutch black metal entity Funus. Conceived between 2011 and 2013 but only now emerging from the shadows, the album channels the five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—into a harrowing sonic journey.
From the very first moments of A Mind to Break, Funus unleashes a chaotic storm of dissonant riffs and relentless aggression, reminiscent of Procreating Satan-era Gorgoroth, yet infused with a modern, eerie melodicism. This unrelenting assault gives way to the crushing weight of My Hate for You, where doom-laden riffs drag the listener into the depths, evoking echoes of Glorior Belli’s Manifesting the Raging Beast. Yet, amidst the suffocating bleakness, Funus weaves moments of haunting beauty, incorporating clean, jazzy guitar passages akin to Shining—a striking contrast to the raw black metal fury.
The title track offers a brief respite, an instrumental interlude of brooding atmosphere, perfectly placed within the album’s mournful progression. Grey Sun closes the journey with a dynamic interplay of crushing low-tuned riffs and melancholic melodies, building towards an explosive climax of devastating blackened catharsis.
Despite its deeply introspective and sorrowful themes, Adrift Alone never loses its primal edge. Funus strikes a rare balance between raw emotional weight and musical intricacy, crafting a sound both familiar and refreshing within the black metal landscape. A must-listen for fans of Shining, Forgotten Tomb, and Deathspell Omega, this album is a bleak yet rewarding exploration of grief, loss, and acceptance.
