PLUTONIAN SHORE – Ave Mysterium
The Dread Lair

Plutonian Shore offer up a slab of traditional Black Metal on this disc. You won’t find any frills here, and I think that’s the point. Ave Mysterium is a seven-track journey into certain darkness. Unfortunately, these guys stuck to the minimalist attitude of the Northern Black Metal tradition in their production as well. There is no balance in the tracks, which make it difficult to get past the crash symbols and the guitar. I’m sure there is something else going on underneath, but it is lost in the mids and highs. From what can be heard, Plutonian Shore don’t take many risks, but stick to the full charge Black Metal formula set forth in snowy lands across the ocean. Fans of the minimalist tradition mentioned before will take interest in this disc. I am curious to hear the band with a properly mixed disc. One standout track is, “Through Obsidian Gates,” which finds the vocals in a hushed whisper against a backdrop of a haunting, yet fast paced melodious riff that grabs your attention. This was an interesting twist to what you’d normally expect, and I was impressed.