DUSK CULT – Folklore Discipline
Release Date: 9th August 2025
Label: Self Released
Bandcamp
Genre: Melodic Black Metal, Atmospheric Black Metal, Doom Metal, Folk Metal.
FFO: Grima, Gaerea, Ellende, Be’lakor, Uada, Mgła.
Review By: Rick Farley
Australian black metal duo Dusk Cult consisting of Ben Williamson (guitars, bass, keys, vocals) and Elliot Sansom (drums, vocals) was formed in 2020. Now with the 2025 self-release of Folklore Discipline, August 9th, marks album number three. In 2023, I had the pleasure of reviewing their highly praised album Night Sky Revelations. The band was completely new to me and that record really scratched the modern black metal itch with tons of second wave brushstrokes. Occasional death metal vocals, a little doom and folk metal, the album felt uniquely fresh. I rated it extremely high and was excited to see where this band would go next.
Well, for better or worse, Folklore Discipline goes a little too far into the realm of upping certain elements seemingly for the sake of accessibility. Every band wants to be successful, but the sound feels more aligned for the masses this time around in my opinion. By no means am I saying this isn’t still a black metal record, but there are numerous titbits I just don’t gel with as much in comparison to their last album. So, the good thing is Dusk Cult may get the exposure they deserve but at the cost of some fans including myself comparing it to Night Sky Revelations. Unfairly or not, it will always be the case with new records.
On the surface, Folklore Discipline maintains the golem style, screechy black metal shrieks and occasional death growls, which sound wicked together. The blast beats are there and pounding, albeit sounding a tad flat in performance, though. I would love to hear a rawer playing style. Elliot is clearly a great drummer; I personally just want some more organic energy coming through. Musically, the soundscape has a less nasty edge to it and sounds a little more melodic. The guitars are prominent but lack the jaggedness of the last record. Song-wise it’s a little hit or miss, tracks like Verbraucht and Hemlock are brutal, nasty, doomy and maintain the modern black metal ugliness from the last album, but The Woodsman of Bavaria goes too deep into the folksiness, drawing comparisons to so many other bands doing the exact same thing already. And while Midsummer Rites isn’t a bad song by any means, it’s poppy punkish beginning and old school doom/Viking sound feels off from the rest of the record.
Folklore Discipline was produced by Troy McCosker, who has previously worked with notable bands in the Australian metal scene such as Ne Obliviscaris and Be’lakor. Drums were recorded at Bushido Studios operated by Dan Presland (Black Lava, Ne Obliviscaris) with all other elements recorded at Audio Ninja Headquarters. The record sounds primal enough, but still has an ultra-modern clarity about it. Everything sounds fully fleshed out, rugged but still warm. Plenty of black metal hideousness to go around when the band is at full bore.
To be perfectly honest, Folklore Discipline is going to come down to personal feelings on the sound being more accessible. It’s not a bad album by a long shot, but to me the last one is so good, and this direction is now, not where me as a fan wants it to go. This is 100 percent a listen for yourself type of record. Give it a spin and see what you think. Truthfully, this does have the appeal to be greatly received. So, what the hell do I know!
(3 / 5)
