NIPHREDIL The Final Star CD

Hailing from Quito, Ecuador, the atmospheric black/doom metal band Niphredil released their debut full-length album, The Final Star, in physical format through the Portuguese label Prophetical Productions in January 2024. Although the album was initially released digitally by the band in 2023, the collaboration with the Ílhavo-based label brought this ambitious work to a wider international audience with a high quality physical edition. The music on The Final Star is a sprawling and deeply emotional journey that lasts nearly an hour, blending the crushing slow-tempos of Doom Metal with the ethereal and aggressive textures of Atmospheric Black Metal. The band—led by core members José Miguel Santelices (vocals, guitars, piano) and Lucas Serrano (bass, guitars)—draws inspiration from a diverse range of influences including Triptykon, Blut aus Nord, and Altar of Plagues. The album is notable for its refusal to rely solely on aggression, opting instead for complex, progressive structures, ambient passages, and a mix of raw and clean vocals that create a sense of cosmic introspection. Composed of six extensive tracks, the record explores themes inspired by classical literature and personal mysticism. Standout tracks like Dreamy Nowhere and the ten-minute title track, The Final Star, showcase the band's ability to create dense soundscapes that feel both ancient and modern. The physical release features artwork that perfectly mirrors the album's spiritual and celestial themes, marking Niphredil as one of the most significant avant-garde metal acts emerging from the South American underground.