Canadian black metal act SVNEATR are back with their 3rd full length release, ‘Never Return,’ looking to refine and expand upon the progressive and experimental leanings of 2021’s ‘Chinook.’ Not only have they achieved that in spades, the group have also managed to improve the accessibility and memorability of their songwriting, leading to perhaps their best output yet.

Opener ‘Mechanical Wolves’ comes out swinging with a ginormous power metal-adjacent intro that quickly flies into one of countless amazing riffs to be found across the album’s runtime. Singer and guitarist Vitharr Monteith has mentioned how they wanted to incorporate the energy and intensity of a live performance into this LP and this track’s head-banging grooves and ferocious vocals embody this superbly. As the track moves into its anthemic chorus, complete with a half-time feel that ties everything together, it becomes clear that SVNEATR have done an excellent job refining their particular blend of progressive black metal into something more aggressive and hard-hitting. This ferociousness is reflected in the track’s lyrical content, inspired by global conflicts such as those in Ukraine or Gaza, and Vitharr’s monstrous harsh vocals portray the group’s disgust perfectly.

The title track is another wonderful example of the band’s push for more impactful performances, and it once again shines through. After an ominous folk-inspired intro complete with some haunting lead melodies, the band break into one of the most frenetic cuts in their entire discography. Logan’s drumming is absolutely relentless as he accents the desperate guitar riffs, creating a sense of momentum and urgency that many bands can only dream of capturing. This emotional weight was surely borne from the themes of isolation and uncertainty that the track is based around, having been written during the 2020 pandemic.

From here, SVNEATR begin to delve back into the lengthier songwriting and expansive storytelling that has come to define their sound. ‘And When Comes The Storm’ rings of pure desolation and melancholy from its opening clean guitars and subtle string embellishments as it slowly builds into one of the longest and most ambitious cuts on the record. From its chilling chorus detailing the band’s battles with mental health to the downright disgusting breakdown that mimics the fury of a raging storm, the track is diverse without feeling scattershot or meandering.

Not all is well, however, as this song is also a particularly good example of some of ‘Never Return’s’ major downfalls. Though it may be strong for a black metal record, the album's production leaves something to be desired in its mixing and layering. Oftentimes, Logan’s snare or cymbal work overpowers much of the rest of the band, reducing the impact of many riffs. The same can be said for the soaring lead guitar parts or chanted vocals which, similarly, take up far too much room in the sonic space. In addition, Vitharr’s clean vocals— while improved from Chinook— are a notably weak addition to their black metal sound. Although they manage to enhance some ambient sections, they are regularly off-pitch and far less impassioned than their harsh counterparts; in certain sections, one has to wonder if their inclusion was a good idea at all.

Neither of these issues manage to bring down the following ‘Omen,’ thankfully, as its crushing bass riffs give way to the most pounding and monstrous cut on the entire album. Across the six-minute runtime, SVNEATR utilise octave pedals a-la Gojira and chugging riffs inspired by doom metal to overwhelm the listener, warning against our reckless treatment of the environment without hesitation or trepidation. As its haunting chanted passage in the second half gives way to a memorable guitar solo complete with a distinctly overdriven tone, this track is a prime example of how the group’s sound has evolved, becoming even more menacing and heart-stopping.

The final two tracks— ‘Blackout’ and ‘Reaper of the Universe’— are perhaps not quite as essential or memorable as their contemporaries, although they could hardly be described as filler. ‘Blackout’ marks the return of the full-throttle energy seen at the start of the album and its call-and-response chorus is sure to become a staple of the band’s live show going forward. The ominous descending riff the song is based around, however, grows somewhat monotonous by the track’s end, and this cut is arguably the least inspired of the bunch. Closer ‘Reaper of the Universe’— hilariously inspired by Elon Musk’s forays into space travel— is similarly bland, almost coming across as a parody of black metal in its worst moments. This can only be said for the track’s intro, however, as across its nine minutes, the track blooms into something far more progressive between its funky clean section and crushing ending.

‘Never Return’ marks the apex of SVNEATR’s sound, bringing together everything the band has been experimenting with since 2018. Though it suffers from some production and vocal issues in places, these do little to distract from the confidence and energy that the band have brought to this project, and the album is, overall, a sublime example of progressive metal done well. With no plans of slowing down anytime soon, SVNEATR are a group to watch out for as they continue to evolve and experiment in the near future.

A massive thank you to Prosthetic Records for the early copy