Reveries of the Arcane Eye

Osgraef - “Reveries of the Arcane Eye” 2025

If it’s not meaningful, it’s not true Black Metal, and I’ve found Black Metal of the esoteric consort to be perhaps the most powerful. Having spoken with practitioners in bands like Thy Darkened Shade, Serpent Noir, Aegrus, and having gotten to know a little bit about some of their occult practices, it became clear to me that their music stands for much more than mere genre representation. BM as a conduit for Satanic energy and as an homage for Lux Tenebris - Lucifer/Satan - the Lightbringer and the Darkest One. These men have dedicated their lives to the great craft of occultism and to the finest dark art of Black Metal. The music? Ranging from complex and elaborate to aggressive and brut. Osgraef falls into the latter category. Like Archgoat, only at twice the tempo. Their origin is a mystery, and all I’ve been able to put together is the fact that they are gnostic black magick practitioners and that their forthcoming debut LP, “Reveries of the Arcane Eye”, was created in part to honor Lucifer and is scheduled for a March 21 release via Amor Fati.

Semjaza of the aforementioned Thy Darkened Shade described his experience with Lucifer as a complicated one. In other words, even an adept will be challenged in the presence of such power. The same too can be said about the band’s music, which is dedicated solely to Him. Wouldn’t it stand to reason that a deity of such power should be homaged with music of equal majesty? That’s exactly what you can anticipate here as well with “Reveries of the Arcane Eye”, only a bit more streamlined and a lot more dangerous. This is not just music for these artists/practitioners but a way of life; something stronger than passion even and you can feel it in the opening track, “Sekhem Apep - Vampyre’s Enscription”. The energy is something like a vacuum, a vortex-like state of reversed propulsion. Helpless against its current and in awe of its force. And just nasty too… The following track, “Nox Luciferi, Liber Koth” feels like a diabolical joining of Ofermod and the aforementioned Archgoat. Just heavy as lead like “Nuns, Cunts & Darkness” and grimy as fuck like “Sisters of Rapture and Pestilence”. This track could possibly be inspired by Stephen Sennitt’s Infernal Texts: Nox & Liber Koth.

This is some groundbreaking material and yet it fits so well within the parameters of what constitutes true black metal. What a simple yet brilliant opening riff in “Morbid Wretch - Reveries of the Arcane Eye”. Followed by melodic passages that cross into what feels like Sargeist territory. As a matter of fact, this entire record feels very much like a Suomi affair. Picking up what sounds like a little Satanic Warmaster worship as well. But it’s all this explosiveness, this Watain-like erupting energy that separates Osgraef from conventional Black Metal bands. And it’s percussion that runs away with the whole thing. Dominating and unpredictable. Such a unique take on black metal drumming.

So much more than genre representation, remember? An album to be explored and not listened to. Experienced and not heard. Bands like Osgraef are what keep the mystique alluring and the mystification real within the Black Metal world. To express themselves so openly through their music; inviting us just across the threshold into the realm of the occult. Forbidden practices and criminal black metal? This is the fruit of the underground and labels like Amor Fati. Prepare the circle and ignite ritual’s fire upon this eve of the mighty father! Experience true, powerful occult black metal with “Reveries of the Arcane Eye”.

9/10

~Jeger

Experience “Magick Wound” from “Reveries of the Arcane Eye” by Osgraef right here as presented by Amor Fati Productions:

https://youtu.be/NNzCQaAMQxo?si=LvOtg6eNmPTRhVsx