Amiensus - Restoration (2013)

I always love it when a new band comes out of left field and totally knocks it out of the park like these guys do. They combine some of the best elements from some of my favorite bands including the dark melodic riffs of Opeth, the wintry folk of Agalloch, the depressive clean vocal melodies of Katatonia, the doomy atmosphere of Swallow the Sun, and Ihsahn-esque harsh vocals. But of course, they're a musical entity unto themselves and are far more than the sum of their parts. While many other bands have tried this sort of "post black metal" and done a decent enough job, I feel like this band has taken it in a somewhat new direction or at least given the genre the breath of fresh air it deserves. The main feature of the album for me is the atmosphere which makes me really connect with the scene in the album cover. The symphonic elements present in many of the songs are not only very well-composed, but are also a crucial part of establishing this atmosphere. And it goes without saying that all the other musical parts are top-notch as well. In all, this is certainly one of the best albums of the year, and this is a band that is just oozing with potential. Can't wait for their follow-up!
9.5/10