Panopticon - The Rime Of Memory
Austin Lunn's enthralling solo project, Panopticon, has long been a beacon in the modern black metal scene, combining strains of southern folk traditions with punishing Norwegian black metal. His latest album, The Rime of Memory, continues this tradition, showcasing Lunn’s mastery in crafting immersive and emotive musical landscapes that reflect the colorful and ever-changing vistas of the human soul.
The album opens with a stunning couplet — I Erindringens Høstlige Dysterhet, an arresting instrumental folk dirge that flows seamlessly into the captivating, twenty-minute Winter’s Ghost. It’s a powerful statement that showcases Lunn’s familiar sonic pedigree — spectral washes of Americana building into a terrifying black metal assault — while demonstrating Lunn’s palpable commitment to pushing his trademark sound into stunning new realms. Despite its seismic, doom-laden atmosphere, The Rime of Memory incorporates gauzy atmospherics and soaring melodies of strident beauty to tap into vast emotional dimensions that underpin the album’s introspective themes. It is a poignant journey, not overly dramatic but deeply moving, drawing the listener into its desolate, frostbitten world with a sense of bleak yet captivating beauty.
Compositionally ambitious, The Rime… features four cyclopean tracks running between 12 and 20 minutes, each a testament to Lunn's raw creative expression. His commitment to storytelling through music is evident, with each track etching its own distinct tale that feeds into the album’s overarching narrative, one that is both gripping and emotionally resonant.
Had this album been released three months ago, we’d be talking about this in our 2023 Albums of the Year lists, hailing its innate balance of intensity and subtlety. The latter half of the album, particularly Enduring the Snow Drought and The Blue Against the White, delivers a refreshing dynamism that carries the momentum straight through the album’s majestic final note. The closing passages are especially memorable, blending dense, climactic arrangements with bright guitar lines and a powerful string section that coalesce into surging waves of both sadness and ultimately triumph.
The Rime of Memory is a righteous testament to Panopticon’s enduring appeal and to Lunn’s steadfast refusal to rest on his many laurels. It's an album that will absolutely challenge the listener with its lengthy compositions and at times, its harrowing emotional depth, but its atmospheric richness and poignant storytelling make for a compelling listen. For both current fans of Panopticon and those unfamiliar with the band’s arresting sound, this album is a must-hear, offering a deep and immersive experience that reaffirms Lunn’s place as a visionary artist in the black metal genre.