Artist: Canis Dirus
Country: USA
Label: Bindrune
Formats: LP / CD
Year: 2024
In this wretched world, life can still sometimes surprise you in a positive way. When I was asked to dive into this latest record of Canis Dirus, a band that I honestly never heard of, I found out that guitarist/bassist Todd Paulson was the man who used to run God Is Myth Records. Although it was a rather small American label, I reviewed quite a few of its releases back around the early and mid-00’s. So, even without hearing a single note of Canis Dirus, this band already put me on the first available ride on the nostalgia train. Thanks for that. With the warm feeling of sentimentality, I am ready for my first introduction to Canis Dirus.
‘By The Grace Of Death’ is the band’s fourth album, being preceded by not only three full-length records but also an EP and a split CD released by labels such as Moribund Records and Bindrune Records – still it managed to fly under my radar completely. That doesn’t only mean that I had some homework to do, but also a gentle note-to-self to better keep my eyes on these labels.
Yet, frankly, Canis Dirus didn’t change all that much during their six or seven year career. Instead ‘By The Grace Of Death’ is an obvious continuation of steps taken prior. A further perfecting and obvious maturing of the band’s musical formula, which can be drilled down to a few basic elements. The main ingredient of which is what has come to be popularly called “Cascadian Metal”, a genre of Black Metal that has the tendency to blend Folky bits with sprawling Pink Floydian arrangements. This progressiveness echoes Anathema’s late mid to late 00’s records as well as some classic Pink Floyd and Caravan. Yet, the fierce and triumphant Black Metal bits further strengthen the band’s dynamics. Consequently, the music creeps most up to a band like Saor or Panopticon for instance. Just listen, for example, to the beautiful and soothing ending of “Cast My Heart In Stone,” which gently leads you to the furious burst of high-speed and fierce Black Metal of the following track.
‘By The Grace Of Death’ delivers a beautiful and captivating experience of diverse and overall alluring Black Metal. While it certainly may pass for easy listening Black Metal, it pays to give the music several listens. Then the music will increasingly unfold and welcome you to its details of the multitude of layers of melodicism, acoustic guitars, folky interludes and overall stunning agility.
