_Graveforests and Their Shadows_ is one of the strongest and most depressive releases to hit black metal in a very long time. Pulling the doom inspired ten-minute drones, Walknut's first release, at only six tracks (two could be considered an intro and outro, though not labeled as such), will leave your eyes watering and body covered in goosebumps. I do not get this emotional about anything. I cannot do this album justice with my trite words. Listen to it. If there is any fiber of your being that yearns for something new, mournful, bleak, completely encompassing, overwhelming and graceful... go listen. I will not liken them to any previous works, although they liken themselves to black metal giants Burzum and Strid.

Stringsskald and Ravnaskrik have made a masterpiece here and I will say that without hesitation. Epic and raw with interludes of the blackest vocals. Evoking an image of a fir grove in the December moonlight on the harsh Russian steppe, glowing after a fresh snow fall. Amazing. They have set the bar high with this as their first release, and featuring members of Temnozor and Forest, I don't think we could have expected much less.