Band: Lumen Ad Mortem
Release: A Grave Ascent
Release Date: June 19, 2026
Label: Hypnotic Dirge Records
Format: Digital, LP, CD
Genre: Melodic Black Metal
Country: Australia
Review by: Manny “The Metal Man” Bath
There are few words that excite me as much as “local”, “black”, and “metal”, and even fewer when those words are presented in exactly that order. Adelaide band Lumen Ad Mortem are no exception.
Unbelievably, this is only their second album. Entitled A Grave Ascent, they showcase an incredible amount of polish and technical skill across seven tracks of brutal yet intricate audible storytelling.
The album begins with “What Was Lost”, a haunting orchestral piece that injects pure Sith energy with bellowing horns accompanied by huge timpani sounding drums. Darth Vader should have used this as his entrance.
“The Departed” opens with a gargled scream filled with the potential to lift the veil between worlds. A ghoulish howl follows, giving the impression that I had been pulled into limbo. Musically speaking, it sounds like the next iteration of Burzum or Darkthrone, minus the edgelord trope. Late 80s and early 90s black metal meets modernity. A little piece of Scandinavia right here on our doorstep in Australia.
Following on from the haunting tone set by the opening track, a moment of serenity occurs toward the end of “The Departed” in the form of whispered, layered vocals accompanied by a grand piano. It feels almost as if the spirits were ushering me off with them while I drift asleep.
Rousing, uproarious and powerful. These were the feelings I felt during the first half of “I Never Ceded”, due to the triumphant sounds of the orchestral arrangement. In addition to that arrangement, the thunderous double bass sections rattled my ribcage effortlessly, stirring my heart and fuelling flames. The guitar melodies had me weaving and waltzing, blissfully entranced by a blackened symphony.
As soon as I was sent this album to review, I had an inkling that I remembered the name of the band from somewhere.
I was driving home in almost pitch black darkness, but like a shining beacon of hope, a message was just barely intercepted through the scrambled airwaves: Lumen Ad Mortem with their track “Ghost Gums”.
Everything about the setting was perfect, and the track managed to not only fit the scenery seamlessly but also create an atmosphere all of its own. Part of me felt as if art would influence life and cause a physical thunderstorm to match the one in the outro.
A downpour of emotion echoes throughout the torrential rain that continues into the title track, “A Grave Ascent”. Taking this title literally, it conjured up images of someone crawling out of a grave, yearning to right a dire injustice. I could hear sections that I likened to Parkway Drive or metalcore in general, specifically the guitar harmonies and drum fills during the last minute of the song.
Trudging along, burdened by unimaginable despair and warmed only by the knowledge of enacting vengeance, “A Stone Shall Come To Rest” embodies exactly how it would feel to be in the shoes of someone dealing with such grief and anger.
I interpret the gradual and subtle change of the riff at the 3:00 mark as violent acts taking place. Only lasting 20 seconds, the amount of atmosphere and storytelling is on another level. Every aspect of this song encapsulates what it means to be an artist.
Completing the chronicle by calling back to the intro, the final track of the album, “And What Is Yet To Come”, begins with an orchestral piece that signifies acceptance. I can only describe what follows as a 10 minute sonic meditation through the last stage of grief.
From rousing and inspiring to tired but still full of spirit, A Grave Ascent will send all who listen to it on an emotional rollercoaster of an audio voyage seemingly capable of changing the fabric of time itself.
Links:
Bandcamp: https://hypnoticdirgerecords.bandcamp.com/album/a-grave-ascent
Ampwall: https://ampwall.com/a/hypnoticdirgerecords/album/a-grave-ascent
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-8tf495aT0
Website: https://www.lumenadmortem.com/
Bandcamp: https://lumenadmortem.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lumenadmortem/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LumenAdMortem/
CD: https://tinyurl.com/lam-aga-cd
LP: https://tinyurl.com/lam-aga-lp
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/hypnoticdirgerecords
