Metalcatto
It was a mental struggle, a deep existential debate, to review Laurentian Blue by Panopticon. You see, its previous album had been my album of the year in 2023, so there was no way this one was going to top that. And yet, Panopticon is risking it all by basically stepping away from Metal and going full American Folk—or, as we non-Americans might call it, hillbilly Rock. It’s going to be an ordeal for me to make jokes about this without straight-up insulting the trailer park community, but I’ll do my best!
Let’s get something out of the way: A. Lunn is Panopticon. Talent like his is rare in our genre, and I have nothing but respect for the risks and diversity of his work. That said, Laurentian Blue is not what I was expecting. I thought the heavy Folk influences would be gone after The Scars of Man…—but I was clearly wrong. Panopticon continues to explore vast, cold soundscapes at a slower, more melancholic, and contemplative pace. It’s not what we usually expect here, but it’s surprisingly engaging—at times even relaxing.
Despite its lightness, Laurentian Blue is deeply depressive and introspective. The lyrics leave little open to interpretation: the world is dying, and we’re leaving nothing for the generations to come. That message lands like a gut punch, over and over. While there are fleeting moments of rustic, countryside fun, they’re quickly swallowed up by tragic violins and slow acoustic guitar that drain away any hope. Bleak? Absolutely. But also unflinchingly realistic. What makes it more striking is that the production is polished—exactly the kind of refinement Black Metal often lacks.
I’m torn about this album, though. It’s certainly not The Rime of Memory, and I think Lunn was wise enough not to try to replicate something so ambitious, instead going in the opposite direction. I miss the shifts in dynamics and rawness, but above all I wish it were a little less one-note. With few exceptions, most tracks carry the same ominous tone and steady pace. Unless you’re aiming to cry yourself to sleep for 45 minutes (in which case—stop it, get some help!), you may find your attention drifting. I also wish the vocals leaned more toward singing; the talk-singing delivery doesn’t always land for me.
Still, I celebrate the fact that Panopticon had the courage to take a different direction, defying expectations of both Metal and Folk. That’s admirable in itself. Even though the style has shifted, the essence remains: Lunn’s songwriting is as captivating as ever. This more minimalist approach may demand patience, but it still transports you to another place—one closer to nature, and maybe even closer to yourself.
Label: Nordvis
Release date: August 15, 2025
Website: https://thetruepanopticon.bandcamp.com/album/laurentian-blue
Country: USA
Score: 3.3/5.0
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