Metalcatto
Time to continue with one of our oldest traditions, courtesy of Veilburner. These guys have basically released an album every year we’ve been running this business. It’s not up to us—they’re crazy productive and even more consistent. I can’t think of any of its albums being bad, which is why I’m approaching All That Glimmers is Gloam with a healthy degree of optimism. You never know what the band is going to deliver, and that’s exciting.
It’s always complicated to put a label on Veilburner. The whole point of the band is to bend genres in all sorts of depraved ways we can’t fully understand. That’s still totally a thing in All That Glimmers is Gloam. If anything, the band shows even more versatility when it comes to songwriting and sonic experimentation. It’s practically impossible to know where these tracks are going to take you. As usual, don’t expect ridiculous technical prowess, but expect straight-up horror. The atmosphere is thick, the riffs are unsettling, and the whole thing feels like being lost in a maze with no exit.
Yet there are new ideas in All That Glimmers is Gloam, especially when it comes to how the album is paced. It has lots of ups and downs. It’s not just evil and debauchery—there are also more contemplative moments that expand the band’s overall sound. Which honestly is a smart move, since it was feeling like its previous style was reaching its peak, and the risk of stagnation was rapidly increasing. The slower sections don’t drag; they add depth and make the heavier parts hit even harder.
However, I have to give you a few warnings so you know what you’re getting into. I know I said we have some formula changes here, but we’re still working with good old Veilburner. If you’re not into this level of wilderness, this isn’t going to change your mind. I’d also say the second half of the album is more interesting than the first one. It’s when the band truly reaches deeper writing. So it’s not exactly more of the same, but it’s not a violent change either. The evolution is gradual, not revolutionary.
It’s nice to keep traditions alive—but not all, I’m looking at you, slavery. So I’m happy to say that Veilburner is still making puzzling music that would make you wonder what’s going on with your taste, while also making you headbang pretty regularly. Still, I’ll leave you with the one question I’ve had ever since I first listened to these guys: is this Black or Death Metal?
Label: Transcending Obscurity
Release date: October 18th, 2026
Website: https://www.facebook.com/veilburner
Country: USA
Score: 3.7/5.0
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