Is it safe to come out now? Ever since I heard the first few notes of Twilight, I’ve been hiding under my bed. For BM fans, the culmination of some of the United States’ finest black metallers is a dream come true. The supergroup, known under the foreboding guise of Twilight, is comprised of Wrest (Leviathan), Imperial (Krieg), Malefic (Xasthur), Azentrius (Nachtmystium), and Hildolf (Draugar). Once you clean up the drool that undoubtedly soils your keyboard, feel free to read on.

It shouldn’t surprise you to learn that Twilight is nine tracks of raw black metal in the vein of the aforementioned bands. However, during the stint of each song, one influence steps up and leads the pack. That is, Twilight apparently aren’t worried about forging some “new” sound as they are about simply collaborating on a project, which means that the coldhearted opuses vary quite a bit from one another. So, whether one is examining the dissonant “Woe is the Contagion,” the haunting-yet-melodious “As the March of Worms,” or the agonizing “Winter Before,” it’s pretty clear that the band pens fantastic songs.

Conversely, those seeking a seamless album will be sorely disappointed by Twilight’s lack of unswerving differences. Like I implied, the members of Twilight played musical chairs – it seems – when they vied for the spotlights, so on every tune you’ll hear an assemblage of input with one that overrides its peers in a fluid, natural fashion. Of course, and perhaps needless to say, the production is as shitty as all-get-out, but I for one wasn’t planning on the slick production values that riddle, say, Dimmu Borgir’s last cluster of releases.

Simply put, fanatics of U.S. black metal – and BM in general – are required to give Twilight a go, because their debut radiates with unparalleled brilliance. Twilight’s strengths are enough to warrant an immediate purchase, and since there are only 2000 hard copies circulating the globe, I suggest obtaining your serving the day this grim piece of work hits streets. Astonishing.