Metalcatto
I’m kind of mad that this promo somehow ended up in my junk folder and only now did I get around to listening to The Ruins of Beverast – Tempelschlaf. Needless to say, I can’t recall a time when this band released anything that wasn’t at least a solid 4/5. Few acts have mastered the feeling of shamanic Black Metal the way The Ruins of Beverast has. The trance-like state the music induces is so distinctive that its only real competition has always been itself. As a result, my standards were high going into this record. I was expecting nothing less than a hallucinatory descent into something deeply unsettling, so let’s get into it.
At first glance, Tempelschlaf feels like more of the same, and I don’t mean that as a criticism. This is a band that has become almost frighteningly good at refining its own identity. Once again, The Ruins of Beverast manages to create music that is both hypnotic and deeply uncomfortable. You’re pulled into a dreamlike realm that constantly shifts toward nightmare territory, guided by an absurd amount of suffocating, extended riffs. While the thematic framing may differ slightly from previous releases, the core aesthetic and compositional approach remain intact. At this point, it becomes less about reinvention and more about evaluating where this record stands within the band’s already formidable catalog.
One thing that Tempelschlaf absolutely excels at is atmosphere. The album carries that signature mesmerizing quality, but it’s paired with a persistent sense of unease, as if something profane is unfolding just out of sight. This is not a casual listen. Much like releases associated with the Icelandic Black Metal school, the tracks are long, punishing, and deliberately paced. Misery here is methodical, carefully layered over time, rewarding listeners who are willing to fully engage with the details and allow the compositions to slowly reveal their full weight.
That said, my two main criticisms are fairly straightforward. First, while Tempelschlaf is undeniably strong, I’m not convinced it surpasses some of the band’s earlier high points. It stands comfortably alongside the rest of its discography, but I don’t see it overtaking records like Exuvia. Second, there are no real surprises. Everything here is sculpted with precision and confidence, but it’s a form The Ruins of Beverast has already perfected. This is an album where consistency clearly takes precedence over drastic evolution.
Still, Tempelschlaf does not disappoint. It delivers exactly the kind of otherworldly horror and existential dread one expects from this band. In a strange way, the suffocating despair it conveys can be oddly comforting, especially when paired with the monotony of everyday life commuting. At this point, it’s worth appreciating how The Ruins of Beverast continues to operate on its own terms, refining its vision without regard for trends or external expectations. That level of consistency is rare, and frankly, breathtaking.
Label: Memento Ván Records
Release date: January 9, 2026
Website: https://www.facebook.com/the.ruins.of.beverast/
Country: Germany
Score: 4.0/5.0
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