The album is almost an hour long, but thanks to the perpetual movement presented by the instrumentals and the always interesting and changing songwriting it feels much shorter. As a result it keeps leaving a deep, scorching want for more after each listen. Folky elements come to play at times, never taking the upper hand, but adding a more grounded feel to the Nordic thematic presented, perhaps most prominently in the intro on From Southern Shores and helped in a couple of tracks by guest Pär Lindqvist’s (Therion) viola adding further depth. Massive guitars are beset with flaming bass work, crushing with dark intent in the heaviest parts of the album. Towering riff work is given further dimension with the addition of the floating keyboards glowing like the dancing aurora over the entire production. Multifaceted and layered, the album offers a diverse range to showcase the strengths of the members. Lofty, aerial Realms of a Vagrant King with its brimming lead sections and lengthy solos changes for heavier and grittier areas in Cthtonic Elegy, always with the atmospheric guitars lighting the flame. At no point does any element feel out of place, or any filler emerge at all. It’s all part of the transcendental journey Dimhav unleashes with their masterful debut, awakening a primal wanderlust.

Standout tracks: The Flame Transcendent, Star and Crescent