Review by TheOneNeverSeen on March 24, 2023.

Less than a year after what was their best album at the time, Mountain, River and J. conjured another piece of epic and excellently executed atmospheric/melodic black metal, which is, or at least should be, the end of their brilliant album trilogy entitled Triade III: Nyx. I have done the research for you: Nyx is an ancient Greek goddess and personification of night. Every day is a learn day, as they say. So, while I’m not sure if this album beats Triade II: Hemera (not many songs can compare with 'Adonaia’s Elegien' and 'Sonne Der Nacht'), it definitely has the potential to do so, for, containing all the elements previously employed in Aara’s music, it offers even more memorable riffs and melodies which are unlikely to leave any melodic black metal fan indifferent.

For the most part, the songwriting style used by the band remains the same, but the sound is somewhat different from that of the previous full-lengths. First of all, Fluss’s astonishing sibilant vocals are a little quieter and much better integrated into the music, a bit like on Phthonos, a release which I personally deem one of the best by Aara. As always, the lines don’t strike you with their diversity, but, considering the band is balancing between atmospheric and melodic black, it’s not a huge problem. The guitar sound is even cleaner than on Triade II: Hemera and is a bit softer than on Phthonos. Aside from those positive improvements, there is also a negative one: J. clearly has an unhealthy relationship with his bass drum, indulging himself in dull and boring blast beats on 'Heimgesucht' and 'Moribunda'. Thankfully, this is not a major problem on this particular album and I hope J. will not overuse this style of playing in the future considering how much of a skilled drummer he is.

As for the melodies and the mood they create, the album, like the rest of Aara’s works, balances between intensity and melancholy with one of them prevailing on some tracks (the former on 'Heimgesucht' and 'Unstern', and the latter – on 'Emphase Der Seelenpein' and 'Des Wanderers Traum') and combining with each other on others ('Moribunda', 'Edo Et Edam'). Overall, though, both feelings are to some extent present in each song, creating an ambivalent and uneven atmosphere – the best element of Aara’s music. The use of clean "symphonic" vocals ('Moribunda', 'Des Wanderers Traum') and keyboards ('Heimgesucht', 'Emphase Der Seelenpein') also contributes to it significantly. The album’s riffs are very strong as always with the most remarkable one undoubtedly being that of the album’s first single and also my personal favorite by the band so far – 'Emphase Der Seelenpein'. The melancholic yet captivating atmosphere of that song certainly places it among the most impressive black metal I have heard this year. The main riffs of 'Unstern' and 'Edo Et Edam' are also awesome and remind me of the best songs by Wolves In The Throne Room, one of my favorite bands in the genre.

In conclusion, Triade III: Nyx is an excellent example of modern atmospheric black metal. Not overly repetitive, Burzum-worshipping 20-minute songs with guitars that sound like toasters, but a dark, powerful and diverse record with remarkable melodies and a captivating atmosphere. I really hope Aara become a big name in the genre, for they really deserve it.

Rating: 8 out of 10