Well... Some albums strike you as raw expressions of survival, and Letters to the Future Self is exactly that. KHORS didn’t just make an atmospheric black metal record here (it's not about Satan, nor is it about nature, trees, lakes, or ancestors...); they created a snapshot of grief, resilience, and the chaotic beauty of standing firm when the world burns around you...
Musically, this album walks a fine line between chaos and order. The guitars are the first thing that grabs you - sharp, sometimes abrasive, but always carrying an undercurrent of melody that’s almost painful in its beauty, and extremely deeply catching. It’s not the kind of beauty that makes you smile; it’s the kind that stays with you, heavy and lingering. The rhythm section pulls its weight too: the bass adds this grounding depth that keeps everything from spiraling out of control, while the drums shift between frenzied attacks and moments of surprising restraint.
And then there’s the atmosphere. The atmospheric moments don’t just fill space; they add emotional weight, pulling you deeper into the story the album is telling. There’s a cinematic quality to the whole thing, but it never feels overdone or too polished. It’s like standing in a ruined cathedral, surrounded by echoes of something greater.
The vocals deserve their own mention. They’re harsh, of course - it’s blackened screams - but there’s something almost fragile underneath the venom. You can hear the weight of what’s being expressed, even if you don’t speak the language. It’s like the band is reaching through the music to say something that words alone could never capture.
What’s impressive is how the album flows. It doesn’t feel like a collection of songs; it feels like one continuous journey. Some parts are blistering, chaotic, even overwhelming, while others pull back and let you breathe. That balance keeps you engaged, even when the music is at its heaviest.
What stays with you:
- The Emotion: Every note feels charged with something deeper.
- The Dynamics: KHORS knows when to push and when to pull back, and it makes the album all the more powerful.
- The Authenticity: Nothing about this feels forced or performative. It’s emotional, honest, and deeply personal.
If there’s any criticism to be made, it’s that this album doesn’t hold your hand. It demands your attention and your emotional investment. For some listeners, that might be a bit much, but for anyone willing to dive in, the payoff is undeniable.
Letters to the Future Self is a monument. KHORS has created something deeply personal yet universal, an expression of survival and remembrance that feels painfully relevant. You don’t just listen to this album; you carry it with you.
https://www.instagram.com/khors_official/
Thanks to Grand Sounds PR.
