Blackbraid has quickly become one of my favorite new bands. Their live performance on the 2023 Decibel magazine tour blew me away. What makes them even cooler in my mind is that Austin Lunn of Panopticon likes them. In the May 2023 issue of Decibel Magazine, Sgah’gahsowáh mentioned Lunn’s support for them from the beginning. And ever since I heard them live, I can’t seem to stop listening to the debut Blackbraid album. So I was fuckin floored when I heard that a follow-up full-length was in the works.

Blackbraid has, for both full-lengths, gone with a “design in circle center” look. Personally, I think that these kinds of album covers can be kinda hit or miss. You need a strong design to really have the album stand out. In the case of Blackbraid II, I really like it. Here, Blackbraid opts for a darker background shade of brown, akin to a dark walnut stain. I like the choice, as it makes the album stand out from the previous release while keeping a similar design aesthetic. I especially love how the skulls come together with that green element in the middle. The green here stands out more than the red of the previous full-length. And the details in the encompassing ring help keep the piece visually engaging. It’s one of the better album covers of 2023 so far – in my opinion.

Sound-wise, Blackbraid II builds off of its predecessor while adding a few new elements. The riffs are more intricate, as are the album’s acoustic sections. There are even guitar solos sprinkled throughout the song, like “The Wolf That Guides The Hunters Hand” and “Twilight of Ancient Blood”. The drums also have moments where they pound like thunder early on in some songs, which piqued my interest in that track. “Twilight Hymn of Ancient Blood” and “Moss Covered Bones on the Altar of the Moon” is a great example of this. Hell, that second track even brings in a touch of melodic black metal to the fold. The new elements added are subtle in some areas, but they really help make this album stand out. 

I also want to point out that one sick riff halfway through “Twilight Hymn of Ancient Blood”. If you listen to the song, you’ll probably know which one I’m referring to. I can easily see some intense moshing arising from that riff alone if it gets played live. 

However, I think my absolute favorite track from Blackbraid II is “A Song on Death at Winds of Dawn”. The opening immediately hooked me, and by the time I heard that initial scream, I knew this track would be a stand-out. Its unique and engaging riffs, ambient and ethereal acoustics, and intense vocals and drumming all make this song so much fun to listen to. This song is arguably a microcosm of the entire album. (I admit that “Twilight of Ancient Blood” is in close second place for my favorite track).

This album, in a way, ages like bourbon the longer you listen to it. It opens strongly, and it gets better the further into the tracklist you go. And even if everyone isn’t going to like it, you can definitely tell that there is more going on than the first album. Even the cover of Bathory’s “A Fine Day to Die” slots in perfectly with the rest of the songs on the album. Blackbraid has taken a significant step forward in its songwriting and it shows. If you enjoyed the previous Blackbraid album, you’ll definitely enjoy this one. For those who might not like atmospheric black metal, I think that there will be enough here for you to enjoy this album too! I can’t wait to see what Blackbraid will do next!