Artist: Nidernes / Candelabrum
Country: Portugal
Label: Altare Productions / Black Gangrene Productions
Formats: Split 12”LP
Year: 2025
On paper it doesn’t get a whole lots better for those that adore the Black Metal coming from Portugal. Sure, certainly some would have loved to see a contribution of Black Cilice, but personally the thought of Nidernes and Candelabrum pairing up is nothing short of mouthwatering.
Nidernes occupies side A of this vinyl split released by Altare Productions and Black Gangrene Productions with two new tracks. While earlier in 2025 the band released ‘Dusk Befalls Our Heart’, an 18-minute Ambient track, their contribution to ‘Elegies for the Radiance Lost’ is completely in line with the splendid ‘Beyond The Gleam Of Nightsky’. After a short atmospheric intro ‘Profound Darkness Reflects my Dreams’ manifests itselfs in uptempo glory. Compared to that sophomore record, there is a slightly more theatrical atmospheric element, for example manifested by the evangelic touch In ‘Dirge of Unbridled Dismay’. With a relentless pace combined with a majestic atmosphere it mostly reminds of the Finnish Black Metal scene, but it certainly has a distant sense of grandeur of for instance Limbonic Art and Emperor. It’s still the beautiful tremolo riffs that draw instant attention however, and this continues to highlight the strengths of the band. Evidently, Nidernes is still a band to reckon within the Portuguese scene, and the anticipation for a follow-up to ‘Beyond The Gleam Of Nightsky’ has only increased with these new tracks!
Candelabrum then presents three new tracks, the first since 2024’s ‘Transmutations’. The band’s sound has evolved over their last few releases, mostly shaping the balance between on one hand Raw Black Metal with subdued guitars and on the other hand the mesmerizing keyboards, creating a contrast between light and darkness. ‘Elegies for the Radiance Lost’ is mostly in line with ‘Transmutations’ in terms of sound. Perhaps there is a slightly less enveloping ring to the keyboards that thereby bring the guitars slightly more forward. For example the ending of ‘From beyond the Veil’ is quite guitar-driven for Candelabrum’s standards But it’s still the light flowing of the keyboards contrasting the blistering raw Black Metal in the depths that makes the sound of the band unique, and as a whole this material can be considered a direct and logical continuation of their latest full-length. And by extension, it is welcomed with open arms.
For someone that can’t get enough of the majestic interplay between light and darkness of Candelarbum as well as the less raw and more riff-driven glory of Nidernes’ material, this split is nothing but pure satisfaction. Both bands offer an excellent continuation of their most recent full-lengths, and hopefully a teaser for more great things to come. It goes without saying that this is mandatory stuff for the followers of these bands and most likely, Portuguese Black Metal.
