Metalcatto
I was there when Austere released To Lay Like Old Ashes. It was my first experience with Atmospheric Black Metal. And though it wasn’t a perfect album, I recall it to this day. Long after, I’m here, ready to review The Stillness of Dissolution, ready to appreciate how much the band—and I—have changed in these almost twenty years. Austere has already taken radical steps in its style, but will this continue, or will we see a return to its origins? Stay put for your favorite flavor of depression.
There’s not much left of those days in Stillness. If anything, this almost feels like Austere going MeloDeath/Post Metal—and honestly, it works fine for me. It’s engulfing, sorrowful, and continues the minimalist line that characterizes atmospheric work. However, the vocals and melodic elements are so much more elaborate. Austere is unrecognizable, and for once, I don’t think that’s all too bad. Can you imagine doing the same sad, atmospheric album for decades? Oh wait—you don’t have to, because it became a subgenre now!
Crazy how a few production and riffing decisions make you sound more like Insomnium instead of Falls of Rauros. It’s difficult to put aside my personal bias—you know I love my sad cat soundtracks. Even when it’s sunny outside, nothing gets sunny inside… Enough edgy comments! Even if Austere’s take isn’t the most original, I’m entertained by this Harakiri for the Sky type of approach. There’s less of a cold and barren desert night here, and more of your typical endless rainfall. Speaks well of a band when so little can change its imagery so much.
It’s been difficult to come up with pros and cons here. As I said, I could put a dozen of these depressive albums on and feel infinite joy, but it’s also true that Stillness is exploring familiar ground for those of us into the last years of Post-Black—even if not as familiar for Austere’s trajectory. Yet I can look past that, because my only real question mark is how long the tracks can feel. Given the number of ideas here, I still think most songs could’ve trimmed at least a minute and held our attention more effectively.
Despite the typical excesses of the genre, Austere still managed to pull off a crushing, heart-wrenching effort that proves the band is still evolving in its new life. Ironically, it showed I’m still falling for the same tricks, even if recognizing them has become easier. Most people don’t change their music taste at all, so I expect many Austere fans to feel alienated—but for those of us who thrive on change, Stillness offers a rare instance where a band matures with time.
Label: Prophecy Productions
Release date: 6 June, 2025
Website: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialAustere
Country: Australia
Score: 3.5/5.0
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