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Black metal is a genre that I have grown to enjoy over the years, not the ultra-raw stuff so much, as I need a little melody in my mix, but I do find the bands that incorporate some traditional guitar riffs or keyboards enjoyable. On The Curse of Immortality, the third full-length album from Canada's Crystal Coffin, they have hit on a formula I find both unique and engaging. They employ black metal hallmarks such as rasping (though understandable) vocals and tremolo picking but also incorporate a lot of heavy riffing guitars as well as keyboards, though I wouldn't exactly call them "symphonic," their overall sound is far too feral for that label. Songs like "Final Breaths" evoke the black/traditional metal mastery of Immortal, yet there are flourishes that are dungeon synth or maybe even electronic/blackgaze in nature, like on "The Undead." And you can actually hear the bass guitar on "Shadows Never Cast." All this might sound like an atmosphere and ferocity buzzkill, but I find both to be greatly enhanced instead. Experimentation is a risk, but on The Curse of Immortality, Crystal Coffin has branched out just enough without sacrificing their metallic foundation to create a unique offering for any fan with wide-ranging tastes that is looking for something a little different.