Review by Jeger on July 15, 2024.

Goth and black - a natural union like warm crimson channeling your blade after murder or bluish grey hues upon the fleshly carrion of a once so precious human life now worm food… Dark stuff, but there’s no other way to have it. Gothic beauty in darkness, from the exploration of Vampyric concepts to blood red lipstick-rimmed wine glasses toasting the moon; pitch black trench coats and big ass glossy Docs… Paired with the kind of unbridled wickedness in both atmosphere and forefront that only black metal is capable of: sinister arrangements, demonic gutturals, misanthropy, spikes, bullet belts and your custom made MLO shirt. A blessed union of two kinds of dorks… Kidding of course, because I’ve gathered you here on this balmy, rain-soaked Virginia eve in celebration of the precious dark as pedestalled by Italy’s Forgotten Tomb and their latest Nightfloating LP, released on July 12th, 2024 via the ever-artful Agonia Records. 

A cult institution and innovators of the darkly elegant Italian scene are Forgotten Tomb, and since 1995, through a blood pact at dagger’s tip and under the brutalist seal of all things depressive and dreadful, they’ve quietly released respectfully reviewed gem upon respectfully reviewed gem. You don’t get this shit here in The States, which is why I rarely journalize American music, but I digress… The air of Vampyric classicism that makes up the opening moments of 'Drifting' where Vampyric black metal/dungeon synth meisters Order of Nosferat are brought to mind as this almost Zelda-like revelry in the fantasy of forlorn passages through ancient torchlit dungeons of yore unfolds. A refined example of this band’s ability to achieve cohesion on all phases and to patiently channel inspiration into a minimalist yet highly visual experience. 

The opening titular track - give me a sec, lost in this one as each divine melody has its way. Reminded of youthful days, of the diableric night and of organic joys lost to the bitterness of age. Thank you… The kind of album that just begs for repeated listens. Captivating melodic passages reciprocating smoothly like hot-lubed pistons through power cadences and the fluidity of the guitars as they emit their ghostly siren song in lively, almost whimsical fashion during 'A Chill That You Can’t Taint', just before ghastly, no-hope-for-the-future end of days vibes radiate from the ominous tinkering of piano’s key. Comprehensive yet grounded and easily digestable blackened doom and ripe with the kind of passion that only the Italians are known for is Nightfloating - just what your soul needs - a seamless melding together of sister styles that not even the overlords of the scene are capable of. Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride, Watain and Marduk, Moonspell and little Type O? There’s a lot going on here, but so beautifully composed that it all just falls into place without even a moment’s disjoint. 

Dredging the depths and soaring the azures in this blackened beauty of a recording. Most of these guys have been together since 2003 or before, and that coveted level of collective understanding shared among members translates into the music with authority. Gliding through each passage like a river that’s aeons beaten through its canyon and flowing with assured austerity. Cohesion, remember? Great band, great fucking album. Another finely reviewed record I’m sure it will be. Let the nightly fanfare commence! Here’s to another beaut. 

Rating: 10 out of 10