Here’s a bold statement: Feral Darkness by Brooklyn’s Tombs is a record that will either reignite your passion for sludgy, blackened metal or leave you questioning its pacing—and that’s exactly what makes it worth discussing. This isn’t my first encounter with Tombs, but it’s my first time dissecting their work, and let me tell you, the hype surrounding this band is no accident. Every new release feels like a communal event, dredging up my fascination with their signature sound—a murky, aggressive blend of genres that’s hard to ignore. Five years after the polarizing Under Sullen Skies, Feral Darkness steps into the spotlight, and it’s a beast of a different kind.
Tombs hasn’t lost their edge. In fact, they’ve doubled down on their confident, swaggering style, delivering a cacophony that borrows from the groovy intensity of Black Royal, the raw vitriol of Oathbreaker, and the post-metal grit of Inter Arma. The result? A record that hits hard, driven by a bass tone that bubbles and clangs like a forge in hell, paired with drums that stomp with unrelenting force. This isn’t just music—it’s a physical experience, evoking a primal, bone-rattling rage. And then there’s the vocals: a terrifying howl and a haunting croon that feel like a summoning ritual, channeling the same otherworldly energy as Sulphur Aeon. Meanwhile, the guitars, coated in a moldy post-metal fuzz, wrap around your senses like a warm, suffocating blanket.
But here’s where it gets controversial: While Feral Darkness is undeniably powerful, its songwriting doesn’t always live up to its potential. The album starts strong, with three riff-heavy tracks that, despite their mid-paced tempo, pack a punch. Yet, somewhere between the doom-laden ‘Granite Sky’ and the charred, post-metal vibes of ‘Last Days,’ monotony creeps in. The lack of pace variation and creative spark in the middle section feels like a missed opportunity, diluting the impact of the otherwise stellar first half. At 50 minutes, the runtime begins to feel bloated, and I found myself questioning whether the journey was worth the commitment.
And this is the part most people miss: Just when you think the album might lose its way, ‘The Wintering’ explodes with a burst of speed and ferocity that’s nothing short of miraculous. From there, tracks like ‘Black Shapes’ and ‘Wasps’ lean hard into Tombs’ blackened roots, layering tremolos and raw energy to create a scorched-earth finale. It’s as if the album finally finds its purpose in the last third, building a sense of scale and intensity that momentarily erases earlier gripes. But then, ‘Nightland’ arrives—a seven-minute track that feels uninspired and out of place, dragging the momentum back down.
Tombs has pulled out all the stops with Feral Darkness, showcasing their versatility and ambition. The result is enjoyable, though not without its rough edges. The album’s highlights are undeniable, but they arrive almost too late to salvage the slower moments. If Tombs had trimmed the fat—cutting tracks like ‘Nightland,’ ‘Last Days,’ and the superfluous outro ‘Glaeken’—they might have delivered a flawless, relentless masterpiece. As it stands, Feral Darkness will satisfy die-hard fans and genre enthusiasts, but it might not win over skeptics or casual listeners. So, here’s the question: Does Feral Darkness succeed in spite of its flaws, or does it fall short of its potential? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments.
Rating: Good
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3
Label: Redefining Darkness | Release Date: October 17th, 2025
Websites: tombscult.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/TombsBklyn
