The Clearing Path - Watershed Between Firmament and the Realm of Hyperborea (2017)

Phenomenal Italian progressive black metal, and maybe my biggest musical oversight of 2017 (it really was a phenomenal year for black metal.) Jangling, barely overdriven guitars, distorted screams, ambient noise, and wordless choirs winding their way through an infinity of dark, cosmic knowledge. As seamless a fusion of beauty and dissonance as you're likely to hear. This is one of several solo projects by the same dude, and they're all excellent, so if you're feeling this, check out his other stuff.

Track listing:

1. Ankhtkheperura in Thee (A Mystical Enlightenment)

2. The Pillars of Creation

3. Stargazer Monolith

4. This Stairway Will Carry Me Towards the Grandest Light

In deep cosmos you'll be reborn

Far realms of true absence

More black metal for cosmic exploration:

Trist - Hin-fort (2007)

Finster - Existenz (2012)