One-man band Panopticon have become an institution, unleashing deeply atmospheric, uniquely folk-tinged black metal for nearly twenty years now. Incorporating bluegrass distinctly into their sound, they are something of an acquired taste, and take some getting used to. Once you get there, though, there is so much to unpack and enjoy with more or less every release.

Roads to the North was released back in 2014, squeezed in between Kentucky and Autumn Eternal. It is an emotional album that reflects on Lunn's stay in Norway, away from loved ones. It is a complicated album that is not particularly easy listening, and therefore demands a good amount of time and attention in order to be fully appreciated. The songs are long and deeply adventurous with the shortest non-interlude song clocking in at nearly 8 minutes. Panopticon weave through traditional, but melodic black metal passages filled with riffs and tremolo picking, as well as deliberately drawn-out, slow and eerie sections, and a couple of pure folk songs ("One Last Fire (The Long Road pt. 1)" and "Norwegian Nights"), showcasing Lunn's versatility. You will frequently hear folk instrumentation all over this record, and particularly violins, flutes and acoustic guitars, of which the two latter are handled by Lunn himself.

While these characteristics for the most part make Roads to the North a highly varied, interesting and evocative listen that captures the spirit of the dark, snow-covered north, it comes off as a little messy and needlessly chaotic at times with the overwhelming density of sound. The production adds to this by making the songs sound boxed in when what this music really needs is space to breathe due to its complexity.

While not flawless, Roads to the North is a rewarding journey once it has been allowed to sink in fully and a good place to start with this band. Recommended.