Review by Jeger on June 29, 2026.

As an enthusiast whose soft spot for the beauty of Post-Black Metal is like that of a true art/literature appreciator, when an album like Zørza's "Twilight Of The Golden Star" sees the light of day, it's like seeing Delville's Les Trésors de Satan for the first time or that day you first discovered the magic of Margaret Weiss & Tracy Hickman. There's something to be said about the epic nature of the compositions, the divine melody of passages that make up evolutionary albums like Harakiri for the Sky's "Mære" or "Noctambulist II: De Droom" by Noctambulist. Something to be seen in just how beautifully these albums are packaged in genuine non-AI artwork created by respected Artisans of the canvas.

When you dare to push beyond the boundaries set by genre purity into the realm of genre exploration, the result will likely be something like experiencing the above-mentioned Zørza - "Twilight Of The Golden Star", released on June 26 via Godz ov War Productions. Zørza's sophomore opus features Post-BM mainstays Harakiri For The Sky who contribute to tracks one and two: the title-cut and "My Wounds" - an exemplary pair of tracks that quite frankly set a seemingly unreachable bar for the remainder of the album, but more shall be revealed…

"Death III" - the third installment in the Zørza "Death" saga - getting into the heart of the matter now. Gone are the guest-contributors and it's only Zørza left to carry on in soldierly form as they continue their captivation campaign; ensnaring the senses with pulsating melodious tremolo riffs and a myriad of brilliant percussive alternations between blast-beats and martial rhythms. Snaking its way just beneath the surface gleam is the thunder rumble of the bass lines and calling down said thunder from storm-pregnant skies are the vocals: impassioned screams and mighty drawling roars that resonate with such urgency, such an organic sense of yearning.

There's no danger here, no hatred, no violence or malice, only the majestic "Stormspell" siren song to ease you into the fluidity of the experience. Perpetual momentum and snare-pounding you into a Post-BM-worshipping stupor. Drooling all over yourself now (can't take this guy anywhere) and locked in like Rain Man locking into The People's Court: "gotta watch Wapner". Gotta delve deeper! Deeper still into the gentle closing moments of the song as they tick away to soft fluttering tremolos fading into the awaiting silence…

Post-BM fix Suboxoned for now! But it won't be too long before I find myself under its influence again and in a state of blessed melodic oblivion. Make this your invitation into the surprisingly 100% legit world of Post-Black Metal or may it serve as yet another conveyance into what has become a warm familiar genre. It's gravy on either side I guarantee. To the Golden Star! Whatever that is and to Zørza - one of the contemporary scene's most important Post-BM projects; one to keep your eyes and ears locked onto for sure.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10