2. In the woods… - "Otra"

An astonishingly mature prog rock from the Norwegian many stays. Even back in Black Metal’s heyday In the Woods… were trying to do different things with the art form. Long before the term black prog was coined, they were exactly that, taking their influences from the avant-garde tones of Celtic Frost as opposed to the usual sources of Venom and Bathory. This is an extraordinary, deep and textured record that almost divorces itself completely from its creator's musical origins. The vocals are deep, clean and lush and full of astonishing storytelling. The music operates as part of the narrative, creating a rich atmosphere that just builds as the music progresses. Astonishingly adept and lusciously vivid.