Review by Ben for Tómarúm - Ash in Realms of Stone Icons (2022)

I'll say straight off that this is an extremely classy and impressive debut album. The level of sophistication and musical sorcery on offer is pushing the top of the scale, and I have very little doubt that Tómarúm could become very big indeed! Very much a black metal album, and a fairly intense one at that, Ash in Realms of Stone Icons enters progressive territory through the use of complex structures, gorgeous leads and a snaking fretless bass that makes its presence known throughout. I have no doubt that fans of bands like Ne Obliviscaris will drool over the result, even if it is more on the extreme side. Despite everything I've said so far being apparent from my first listen, I've spent the last week and a bit trying to figure out just how much I personally enjoy it. Being an obsessive black metal fan, I've actually found some of the progressive aspects to be a bit of a distraction, particularly the bass, which constantly jumps out of the mix in ways that feel a bit unnecessary. Some of the tracks are also a bit longer than they need to be, making listening to the hour long runtime a bit of a daunting prospect. As the album has grown on me, these concerns have lessened, and I'm now very comfortable giving this exciting and at times quite breath-taking debut release 4 stars. I can't wait to hear where Tómarúm go from here!

2022 RANKING (58 releases so far)

15. Tzompantli - Tlazcaltiliztli - 4 stars

16. Tómarúm - Ash in Realms of Stone Icons - 4 stars

17. Druid Lord - Relics of the Dead - 4 stars

2022 BLACK RANKING (27 releases so far)

6. Celeste - Assassine(s) - 4 stars

7. Tómarúm - Ash in Realms of Stone Icons - 4 stars

8. Deathspell Omega - The Long Defeat - 4 stars