Nihilvm: Ancient Cosmic Emanation - Album Review
July 29, 2025, marked the arrival of Nihilvm’s debut full-length, Ancient Cosmic Emanation. Eight tracks, just shy of forty minutes, and not a wasted second. And I have to say the album definitely addes to the Polish black metal tradition.
It’s cold, precise, and ambitious, with a production style that lets every instrument breathe while still burying you in atmosphere and not overemphasising one element over another.
The first impression is how much attention Nihilvm gives to tone and texture. The guitars are razor-focused but never sterile, with a sound that cuts above the percussion while still blending with the bass and vocals in the mid-range.
The drum mix is ferocious, particularly on the snare and cymbal accents, which feel both raw and sharp, no muddy over-compression, no washed-out double-kicks but it doesn’t stand above the guitars or vocals. And then there are the riffs, which manage to sound both expansive and suffocating.
The Core Sound of Ancient Cosmic Emanation
The album begins with “Arcy triumf śmierci,” a sinister instrumental that builds tension with ominous guitar layering and an underlying pulse that grows thicker and more suffocating as it progresses. It’s the calm before the inevitable chaos, and it sets the tone for what’s to come.
“Transcendencja” is the real opening blow though. The drumming here is tight, with crisp ride cymbal work and great precise patterns that give the track a constant forward motion. The guitar riffs slice through tremolo runs before opening up into a melodic lead section that feels deliberate rather than flashy. About halfway through, a solo arrives that’s very emotionally charged, it doesn’t feel tacked on, but rather like the song has been building towards that release.
The vocals here, while sitting mid-mix, have a raw, commanding quality, much like Behemoth, but with a slightly more restrained, controlled delivery. It’s one of the strongest moments on the record.
“Srebrzyste ostrza gwiazd” stands out for its structure. Around the ten-minute mark, there’s a breakdown that completely shifts the momentum of the track, a riff that’s both crushing and memorable without resorting to gimmickry.
This song also allows the vocals to cut through more clearly, with less low-end growl and more clarity in the higher registers. It’s one of the tracks that shows Nihilvm’s understanding of pacing, when to drop the speed and when to ramp it back up into blast-beat-driven fury.
“Reticulum” is a rhythmic highlight. The opening drum patterns have a martial, almost militant character, and the track has an undeniable swagger to its groove. The shift into the mid-tempo section halfway through is executed flawlessly, providing a headbanging moment that contrasts with the relentless speed elsewhere. It’s a track built for both modern black metal fans and those who crave something with an old-school rhythmic sensibility.
“Zjadacze światów” is aggressive without being chaotic, and midway through, it hits a stomping riff section that feels like the ground itself is shifting. The guitar phrasing here, fast tremolo leads breaking into short, stabbing motifs, gives the track a sense of both tension and release. It’s easily one of the highlights of the album.
“Nihilizm ostateczny (zawiła droga ku boskości)” takes a more atmospheric approach, stretching its runtime to explore slower, almost doom-tinged passages that give the vocals more space to dominate.
The closing track, “Koniuracja,” is the epic send-off. At over eight minutes, it’s the longest track on the record. It starts hard and heavy, almost heavier than any of the other tracks. The production really shines here, every instrument has space, and the final moments feel like the album is collapsing in on itself with the guitar hitting some phenomenal spots. It all leads up to you wanting more.
The Production, Performance, and Polish Black Metal Swagger
One of the biggest strengths of Ancient Cosmic Emanation is its production. M of No Solace, known for his work with Mgła, was involved, and it shows. The guitars are precise and articulate, with every tremolo line clearly audible even during the fastest drum sections. The drums themselves are mixed with an emphasis on clarity over sheer volume, giving the blast beats a sharpness that avoids the muddiness that plagues many black metal records.
The bass isn’t buried, either, it’s subtle but always present, adding depth and low-end weight to the guitars. The vocal production is interesting; it’s not pushed to the front like many blackened death records, but instead blends into the atmosphere of the songs, acting as another layer of texture rather than the sole focal point. This approach works, especially for the cosmic themes that the band is aiming for, it feels like the vocals are part of the storm rather than leading it.
Final Verdict
This is one definitely in my top 3 releases for Polish metal this year. Nihilvm have shown up with an album that’s technically proficient, dripping with character, and atmosphere.
If you’re a fan of Behemoth, Mgła’s, Kriegsmaschine or the cosmic insanity of Blood Incantation, this record belongs on your playlist. Transcendencja alone is worth the price of admission, but when paired with the groove of Zjadacze światów and the magic of Srebrzyste ostrza gwiazd, it’s clear Nihilvm know how to write tracks that stick.
Ancient Cosmic Emanation isn’t perfect. A little more dynamic contrast would’ve pushed it from great to epic. But as it stands, it’s a devastating slab of blackened cosmic fury with enough hooks and atmosphere to make you hit repeat while you stare into the void and consider your own insignificance.
Written by: Chort the Crop Infestor
“Hi, I’m Chort I infest crops and listen to Black Metal!”
