Cromlech - Of Owls and Eels (2025) Hi-Res

Cromlech’s 2025 album Of Owls and Eels is a solo project by German multi-instrumentalist Impurus. The album merges atmospheric black metal with eerie, melodic keyboard textures. According to The Metal Crypt, it features “haunting yet melodic raspy vocals” and a “raw-ish” sound that evokes an immersive, hypnotic atmosphere. While the early tracks are highlighted for their impact, the latter parts are critiqued as drifting toward generic background music.

The Headbanging Moose emphasizes the album’s dynamic and unconventional structure. Songs like “Owls in the Fog” and “Mordlust” are praised for their unpredictability and atmospheric weight. However, the interlude “Eels (Part I)” is considered overly long and overly cinematic, slowing the pacing.

Occult Black Metal Zine notes the album’s nostalgic affinity for 1990s black metal, with elements like tremolo picking, melodic leads, and whispered vocals. Themes revolve around mysticism and introspection, supported by a blend of old-school aggression and symphonic ambiance.

While the album garners praise for its thematic coherence and experimentation, some critics point to occasional loss of momentum. Nevertheless, Of Owls and Eels is noted as a notable entry in the underground atmospheric black metal scene.