For any of you ooged-out by the allegations of plagiarism against Velvet Cacoon this past year, fear not. Spectral Lore pounds the Velvet-brand of mist metal several steps deeper into unhallowed ground, and to magnificent ends.

Lone instigator Lycaon Ayr hails from Greece, and combines the dieselharp, classical guitar, sub-Varg-synth, WOODWINDS, and a thorough understanding of both soundtrack and black metal ethos into an excellent full length that should appeal to fans of Xasthur, Striborg, and Velvet Cacoon (anonymous or not).

Each listen to these seven tracks provides a whole new slog through the wetlands. Indeed, cuts like "The Cleansing Rain / Morningside in the Eternal Fields," "The Drowning," and "The Descent" meld so well together, it’s hard to tell where one stops and the other starts. With that in mind, perhaps the narrative is interchangeable; the sparse vokills project a sub-Goblin yawp, most assuredly disconcerting and generous with their despair. Considered along with Spectral Lore’s seasoned instinct, rest assured that Lycaon Ayr is NOT a one-trick frostgoat.

This cassette is meant to be experienced in isolation, perhaps even hibernation. Curl up and shrivel to this commendable darkness. Spectral Lore achieves Hrimthurs (of Australia) level. No small feat. (9/10)