Nemorous – What Remains When Hope Has Failed
Release Date: 21st November 2025
Label: Bindrune Recordings
Bandcamp
Genre: Pagan Black Metal, Atmospheric Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Folk Metal.
FFO: Wodensthrone, Saor, Agalloch, Wolves in the Throne Room, Drudkh, Grima.
Review By: Rick Farley
Formed by the pagan ashes of Wodensthrone from the United Kingdom, Nemorous carries the torch of atmospheric English black metal, progressively leaning further into the realm of melodic and airy black metal passages as opposed to sheer primal ferocity.
What Remains When Hope Has Failed is the band’s debut album, having been released November 21st, 2025. Being assembled from a prior band, parts of their current sound were originally built from ideas that were for a third Wodensthrone record that never came to fruition. There was a feeling from members of the band of unfinished business that was immediately discussed upon their dissolution, about what the next steps were to be.
Nemorous was born carrying a powerful sense of familiarity, but also with a clear, evolved identity that expands into its own creative self. What Remains When Hope Has Failed is not as aggressively paced as Wodensthrone was but shares many similarities in overall soundscape and anyone that was a fan then will surely be a fan now. Nemorous essentially picks up where they left off with their 2021 self-titled EP but also leaves plenty of room for more experimentation and a broader scope of maturity. The black metal still runs fiery at times, but it’s also as melancholic, lush, and beautiful as it is aggressive. The path they’ve chosen for Nemorous is less about the ferocity of black metals earlier days and more about deepening all the emotional aspects of the music.
What Remains When Hope Has Failed is four years in the making, which involved a member change and becoming a sextet. Nick Craggs is now on vocals and Rob Hindmarsh was added as second guitarist. They are joined by Phil Heckles (bass), Ian Finley (drums) Alexandra Durning (keyboards) and Michael Blenkarn on guitar. The result is a rich journey filled glimpse into the majestic, soulful, and raucous savagery of emotive, atmospheric black metal. Acoustic passages meet surging guitars with synth heavy layers and vast amounts of airy texture. Harsh, screechy vocals collide with the often lush soundscape as if it were a creature hunting in the dense forest. The drums and bass are represented well, with a warm low end and virtuous complexity. The highlights found beyond the overall songwriting is how the drums drive every song with incredible style and diversity. From blasting to calm, from angry to melancholic, Nemorous truly turns this into an immersive experience. You’ll find yourself being introspective one minute, deeply emotional and invigorated with energy the next. This is truly beauty meets brutality.
Production wise, the record is easy on the ears, with consistent clarity and great dynamics. The drums at times feel a tiny light in the mix, but the excellent performance still comes across lively with plenty of vigour.
What Remains When Hope Has Failed is a debut worthy of your attention for any genre of black metal fan. Even the ones who are on the fence will likely find this quite enjoyable. Easy recommend.
(4 / 5)
