Back in July 2024, a mysterious man living in the Weeping Forest released his debut EP. The man in question is RUNEREADER, and the way he intricately placed an eclectic group of sounds together is something that won’t be forgotten any time soon. Fast forward to today: he is due to release a brand new EP in a matter of days. It’s titled A Frost that Never Thaws, and it keeps curiosity piqued about this mysterious artist. Let me explain in one of my rare track-by-track reviews, as there is a lot to talk about.
The EP opens with Esteem Plague Coronation. Imagine if the Fellowship of the Ring entered the Harga’s commune in Midsommar; that’s what the opening of this track reminded me of. In fact, the Harga don’t even lure you into a false sense of security here; they are revealing their full intentions. This is reflected in the sweeping folk arrangements alongside raw black metal which will grab you by the ankles and drag you into the abyss, whether you are ready or not. Ever wondered what it would sound like if DIMMU BORGIR composed the music for The Sorcerer’s Apprentice? Neither did I. In fact, I didn’t know I could, until I heard the end section of this opening track.
The retro ’80s atmosphere that is heard in title track A Frost that Never Thaws brings Stranger Things to mind; this can be heard throughout, and I feel like I am being drawn into the Upside Down every time I hear it. Tinges of black metal, alongside some powerful lyrics, make this a thought- provoking song.
If the Gods Blessed this Tragic World is one of the most interesting tracks I have heard. It contains a mixture of familiar sounds that create a great melody. One familiar element that comes to mind is the SABATON song 7734; the melody sounds very similar, but no complaints as that is a great tune. The beautiful folk elements of the song bring BROTHERS OF METAL track Blood Red Sky to mind. Mix both of those with the music from Final Fantasy and that should give you a rough idea of what you can hear in this track.
Feelings of intrigue and curiosity stay with you throughout the EP, up until the last track Ghosts of the Ruins. This catchy melody would feel right at home in either a rave or a black metal show. Ultimately, this keeps you on your toes and wanting to find out more.
A Frost that Never Thaws is a step up in terms of production; you can hear instantly how far that’s come along and developed since previous release Forn Siðr – En Ny Början. Much like the last EP, the songs will be stuck in your head for days after the first listen; it will get to a point where you only have to read a title and it’s stuck in your head. All in all, A Frost that Never Thaws is a fantastic EP that shows the growth of RUNEREADER and what he is capable of.
Rating: 9/10
Words: Lotty Whittingham
A Frost that Never Thaws will be unleashed this Friday.
Find RUNEREADER on Facebook.
