Vreid have released their tenth full-length album, The Skies Turn Black, which is also their strongest work in a long time.

Part of Vreid's enduring appeal lies in the way their songwriting consistently deviates from the black metal norm.

With tracks like 'From These Woods' and 'The Earth Rumbles', they combine black metal's icy core values with old-school mainstream metal grandeur, showcasing their ability to blend styles without sacrificing musicality or atmosphere.

The album features guest vocals on 'Loving The Dead', a gloriously accessible epic that unfolds with great elegance.

Vreid have always been adventurous, but this seems to be a more purposeful step away from the black metal code and into more imaginative territory.

With songs like 'Chaos' and 'Flammen', they celebrate their primitive roots while hinting at something texturally broader and more digestible.

The Skies Turn Black is an impressive achievement in itself and will likely be welcomed by fans of Vreid's unique sound.