Crown of Asteria has been crafting metal-tinged naturalistic soundscapes since 2011. Ever prolific, CoA has released more than 25 genre-defying albums since that time, experimenting with varied instrumentation, field recordings, self-built percussion, and a range of vocal styles from guttural growls, to blackened shrieks, to choral chants. CoA contributes one 18-minute opus to this split release entitled “Claw of the Firemaker,” an unnerving blackened doom track that ebbs into a monophonic ode to the natural world.

The name Nodus Tollens comes from The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows and is a realization that one’s life doesn’t make sense anymore, that the plot to one’s own story has been lost. This particular brand of sorrow is present throughout NT’s two long-form tracks, “Morir de Fam” and “Vulpes Pilum Mutat.” Lone member Cicatrix entwines mid-tempo DSBM guitar with relentless percussion and shrieked vocals to speak to a life that can no longer be recognized. NT is adept at combining raw black metal with dreamy post-rock textures, creating a swirling crescendo of longing beauty.

"The two tracks from Nodus Tollens are less ethereal, and more firmly rooted in what might be expected from black metal as a musical genre, but still possess a similar sense of meaning and weight. Evading many of the trappings of raw and atmospheric black metal, ‘Morir De Fam’ has a grace and agility not usually associated with the genre, even if there’s no denying that its instrumentation and vocals are black metal through-and-through. Second track ‘Vulpes Pilum Mutat’ is sparser, keeping that same sense of agility whilst also adding more overt emotional weight. The violia (by Marisa Kaye Janke (ex-Isenordal)) is the most obvious cause of this, but the subtly restrained, mournful guitars also contribute a lot; [...] a sense of the full meaning of the music is only ever glimpsed, inviting further exploration and contemplation – to dig deeper into the mysteries presented here, both musical and more esoteric.." - The Sound Not The Word

"Guitars crash and soar as his rasp and roar summons sorrows, sharing the weight that lies heavy upon him, his tribulations and turmoil becoming our own because we recognize ourselves in what his sound is expressing." - Black Metal Daily

"Well-written and dripping with feeling, [...] draws you in and holds your face to the darkness until you can really feel it." - Wonderbox Metal

"...an emotional yet awesome listen! The lack of overused blast beats keeps it sounding fresh while still proving you with the feeling of uneasiness!" - Dark Endless Promotions

Limited edition forest-green cassettes available via Realm and Ritual:

realmandritual.bandcamp.com/album/crown-of-asteria-nodus-tollens