As I’ve said before, the frozen reaches of the United States’ upper Midwest have become a hotbed for a new generation of black metal artists in recent years. Right smack in the middle of the region lies Minneapolis, Minnesota, which is home to blackened doom unit Obsequiae. This three-piece incorporates elements of medieval music into their sonic assault with spectacular results.

The band’s second album, Aria of Vernal Tombs, was released in 2015 and created quite the buzz among critics and fans alike, landing very high on many year-end “best of” lists. It is an epic work that is best absorbed in its entirety, but for our purposes here today I have chosen to give you a sampling of one of my favorite tracks from the album. Today’s Black Metal Friday features the record’s second song, “Autumnal Pyre.”