Review: Canis Dirus – By The Grace Of Death
“By the Grace of Death” arrives as a work of uncompromising intent, a continuation of Canis Dirus’ long devotion to the frostbitten traditions of atmospheric black metal. It feels like an album sculpted from endurance and bleak conviction, more concerned with conjuring a steady mood of desolation than dazzling with variety. The result is a record of undeniable craft and sincerity, yet one whose singularity sometimes borders on stasis.
The opening track sets the stage with a restrained ferocity: tremolo guitars rush forward in familiar cascades, while vocals snarl from a place of raw, almost ritual abrasion. The drumming is steady and unyielding, rarely pushing into extremes, instead holding the music in an ever-present tension. This approach continues across much of the album, giving the work a cohesive identity but also flattening its peaks. For listeners who value immersion in atmosphere above all, this consistency may be a strength. For those seeking shifts in energy, it risks monotony.
There are moments, however, where Canis Dirus break through their own fog. “A Forlorn Hymn to Absolution” laces its blackened core with cello, expanding the sound into mournful territory that lingers beyond the usual harshness. Elsewhere, layers of melody creep through the riffs, flashes of light against an otherwise unbroken night. These passages hint at the band’s potential to deepen their sonic palette without losing the rawness that defines their identity.
The production reflects the band’s ethos: clear enough to articulate every layer, but still cloaked in haze. The guitars carry both grit and resonance, while ambient undercurrents whisper at the edges. Vocals sit low, more a spectral presence than a commanding lead, which serves the atmosphere but occasionally lessens impact. It is a mix that prioritises immersion over immediacy, drawing the listener in through repetition and density.
“By the Grace of Death” succeeds most when heard as one long piece, rather than a collection of tracks. Its endurance test quality, the feeling of trudging through a vast frozen expanse, can be hypnotic. Yet this same quality makes it harder to recall individual songs, their identities blurred into one frozen landscape. The album is strong in mood, weaker in memorability.
As a late-career release, it shows Canis Dirus as consistent torchbearers of their niche. They do not bend to trend or compromise their vision. But in holding so firmly to their path, they sometimes deny themselves the dynamism that could elevate their work from admirable to essential.
“By the Grace of Death” is a record for those who seek bleak immersion, who want to be carried by atmosphere rather than startled by surprise. It will reward patience and dedication, but it is unlikely to sway those not already inclined toward this form of black metal. For what it is, it delivers well. For what it could be, it leaves some ground untouched.
