Ashbringer - Yūgen (2016)^{Release ID: 14268}

I had plenty of reservations about Ashbringer's debut, Vacant, but this is a hell of a step up from that release. I don't know if that is because Ashbringer are now a band proper, with the dynamic that entails, rather than Nick Stanger playing all the instruments without any third party input. Either way, Stanger's songwriting is far superior on this album with beautiful and epic atmospheric BM anthems that really are very impressive. I love it when an artist proves me wrong and I'm pleased to say that is definitely the case with Ashbringer.