Review by Jeger on April 2, 2026.

Ukraine's Këkht Aräkh has ushered in a new era of gay Ukrainian Romantic Black Metal; spearheading a movement tailed by newcomers, Draugveil and Selvnatt, who've both released LPs this year. I'm not totally against this brand of BM. I did get a kick out of "Pale Swordsman" and "Frozen Throne" by Draugveil feat. Selvnatt is a gorgeous little number if I do say so myself and now? 2026 and the great Overseer, the Overlord of gay Romantic Black Metal, Këkht Aräkh, has decided to follow 'em up with an LP of his own, "Morning Star", released on March 27 via Sacred Bones Records.

What we have here in comparison to "Pale Swordsman" is experimentation and complexity. What "PS" lacked in imagination, "Morning Star" delivers in spades. There's still that lovely modest recording ambiance; that delicate fuzz just there in the background enriching every note, beat and chord with nice earthy textures/tones, all the while as the dense rumble of the bass and the simplicity of every hypnotic riff drives the experience forward in tracks like "Castle" - a swift and dreamlike track that rolls easily along to martial rhythms one moment, only to shift into finesse blast-beats and clean guitar passages overlain by a whispering, contemplative soliloquy. And "Lament" - fitting title for such a happy little cut. Melancholy? Dreadful! Groans and chants create a most dismal vibe. What a difference. Like night and day are "Pale Swordsman" and "Morning Star". The former - so simple and romantic, while the latter leaves you in a state of narco-like sedation and perpetual bewilderment. There's aggression, particularly during parts of "Angest", but outside of these fleeting flashes, "Morning Star" is just, well, bizarre… Awkward clean singing is literally ruining this album.

When night falls and all is tranquil, you can hear your thoughts clearly. Some beckon from the shadow, others from the past, all of them forged in suffering. Collecting the tears and digging deep into the mire of self is Crying Orc. Upturning from the existential bog a pain so perfect that it had to be realized through weird acoustic arrangements and bizarre child-sounding-like-he's-been-drugged-and-dying vocals. Annoying… "Genom Sorgen"? Skip it… This thing is just all over the place. Pick a direction and stick with it for a bit, eh?

Much time, effort and self-searching were required in order to create "Morning Star". It's a recording that no doubt means a lot to CO and that sentiment bleeds through every riff and beat, but it's just so unfocused. Like a piece of writing that needs editing but was released anyway. Just not a strong effort, despite the fact that Crying Orc put everything he had into it. There's a distinct cultural ethos to behold in "Drömsång" and "Trollsång": lyrics in native tongue, earthy and folkish. A true Black Metal album, just not the best one…

Need a little romance in your life? Some contemplative melancholy? Look no further. Balance, patience and wisdom are scarce but for anyone looking to brood or stew over whatever is making them miserable or over the one that got away, "Morning Star" is the move. If you're like me and you appreciate the effort but still feel like the world of BM could either take Romantic Black Metal or leave it and it would be of very little consequence, then you could in turn take this album or leave it. Some people will hate this album, some will love it and I doubt there will be very much going on in between. Personally, I would recommend Këkht Aräkh, Draugveil and Selvnatt to my teenaged daughter as an entryway into Black Metal…

Rating: 6 out of 10