A side-project of Aaron Charles, Falls of Rauros founder and guitarist, Rhûn uses black metal's solid base as a point to explore death metal and even sludge-infused wanderings, to solid if never quite spectacular effect. Although there are similarities with his day job, Rhûn is a more blunt and brutal assault as opener Morningstar quickly proves with its sludgy black/death rumble, distant melodies near-buried under the crushing drums and screamed vocals. It quickly hits an atmospheric peak before devolving into breakdown-fuelled chugging, feeling short when it ends after just under seven minutes but soon proving itself something of an intro piece to the album. The following Tomb of Andesite takes a slower, more grooving approach, whispered vocals and scurrying melodies keeping your ears interested through the shifting currents. You can't say that the band doesn't push boundaries, each track having its own individual identity and approach that differs from those surrounding - Bone Ornament pushing things more towards the aggressive without losing a sense of dissonant melody, for instance, and building on the sludge elements in the latter half to make something akin to Neurosis gone USBM. All the ideas are present and correct.

Which makes it a little disappointing not to be able to praise this wholeheartedly! Yet this does feel like a first attempt at something which would be smoothed out and perfected on subsequent attempts. You can tell that this is music written and directed by a guitarist as the riffs are superb throughout whatever subgenre Rhûn is exploring, and the integration - and sound - of bass and drums is excellent, the latter handled and produced by Ray Capizzo (also of Falls of Rauros). Something stops songs feeling like unified pieces, however, such as the way that Howl of Gleaming Swords balances unevenly between depressive black metal and gothic doom; it very nearly works as intended; in fairness, something you can say for the whole album. The gloom-drenched snarls of the strident Citadels in Ruin begin well, swirling melodies suggesting a dip into post-metal territory that doesn't manifest in favour of a dip into galloping black-thrash that is effective for what it is yet feels a little strangely implemented, even as it shifts into a more atmospheric black piece more akin to Winterfylleth at moments.

Where Rhûn really suffer is in bringing songs to a conclusion. Multiple pieces here give the impression that Mr Charles would have been happier continuing them for 10 plus minutes rather than drawing them to a sudden close, and although when viewed in isolation the way that, say, Night's Glacial Passing devolves into pounding drums and hissing rain-like ambience is effective, when taken as an album it's less memorable. Which is a shame because Rhûn does a lot of things right here, not least skilful musicianship and a unique approach to black metal - sadly the songwriting could use a little fine-tuning. Still, considering that this is a debut this is excellent for what it is and those necronauts who appreciate their black metal distinct and unique will find much to enjoy.