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A curious and disturbing entry here from French mentalists Folge Dem Wind, a band who on their second album have a tight, expansive, and overall professional sound that goes way beyond the majority of acts that emerge from the style. This quintet are more eccentric in their approach than others, going for a kind of futuristic-sounding progressive slant with a few nods to Pagan Metal and Tech-Death on occasion. For the most part, we're looking at a spacey slew that sounds like Wolves In The Throne Room or Altar Of Plagues if they happened to be from Venus; it's a rain-slashed wash of black guitars, unconventional melodies, various time and signature changes, and some haunting vocals that range from deep growls to tortured howls. The production is clear as a bell, which simultaneously makes Inhale The Sacred Poison listenable and yet impenetrable; often with Black Metal of this nature, you need multiple spins to get inside the riffs, to find the truth within them. During "Of Blood And Ether" and "Beyond The Grey Veil" you hardly get a look in; the sound is so challenging it makes you feel unwelcome.

Despite this, Inhale The Sacred Poison is a credible release, and those who like their Black Metal with a dash of innovation will enjoy getting to know it. The standout, surprisingly, is closer "Of Bloody Hands and Mocking Stars", which is more straight-forward and engaging; this is perhaps where Folge Dem Wind should go to maximize their appeal.