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With the number of releases, be it full-length, EPs, splits or live albums that Nachtmystium released over some 18 years, I was surprised to find out I only own three. Can't have them all, I guess. Resilient was both a comeback EP and, as it turns out, the band's swansong (unless the unit is reactivated again in the future). Exit the speedier numbers of the past, the songs on this EP feel like the foot was on the brake pedal when they were written, though, there are some—rather short—speedy passages here and there. As such, I found it quite "soothing" as far as black metal goes. The black metal rasps are there and are also kind of relaxing (well, they wouldn't be for anyone not used to that stuff, of course), but the music is chock-full of melody and kind of "low profile", just chugging along—though without getting boring—and allowing the listener to just kick back and enjoy the smooth ride. Everything is enveloped in a melodic and dark, yet strangely catchy melancholic atmosphere and I found myself tapping my foot for most of it. This is not headbangable metal by any means, but rather something that gets you thinking. Nachtmystium have experimented quite a bit in the past, but Resilient is more straightforward, not doing any weird stuff but nevertheless filled with interesting music. Definitely not the kind of black metal that'll make you smash your head against the walls, this is more like the kind of stuff that you soak in. Too bad that the band split up, as they really nailed the style with Resilient.