Band:	Aridus
Album:	Serpent Moon
Style:	Black metal
Release date:	May 2023

01. Aridus
02. Serpent Moon
03. Spectre Of Despair
04. Bearer Of Silence
05. Reptilian Sleep
06. The Infinite Corridor

With its origins in Scandinavia, it's no wonder that black metal is associated with freezing environments. Yet, one-man project Aridus shows us that the scorching American desert can be just as bleak, lifeless, and unforgiving.

Hailing from Santa Fe, New Mexico, Aridus have chosen quite a fitting name for their environment. As one could guess from the English word "arid", "aridus" means "dry" in Latin. But, rest assured that the music on display here is anything but stale. This isn't musician Galen Baudhuin's first metal project, supplying his vocals and technical guitar abilities for progressive black metal band Infera Bruo since 2009 and the bass-work in grindcore band Trap Them from 2013 to 2017. Now, with all his experience and finely honed skills, Baudhuin has taken to starting his own solo project, and Serpent Moon is the debut.

Now, it must be acknowledged that Aridus don't bring much new to the black metal table. Instead, Serpent Moon acts as a giant melting pot of every black metal feature imaginable. You've got your synthesizers, your furious drumming, your entrancing atmosphere, your melodic acoustic guitar-playing. Strained, raspy cries echoing from beyond the thick wall of tremolo-picking remind of Emperor's style. The blending of aggression and eerie melancholy gives me Acherontas vibes too. And the frenzied and highly technical guitar-work has that unnerving edge pioneered by bands like Deathspell Omega.

Thanks to Baudhuin's excellent performance and the engaging songwriting across a compact 40 minutes, this debut album is just the meal any craving black metal fan needs to satisfy their musical appetite. No more needs to be said. Now you must listen for yourself! So put on your headphones and let Aridus guide you to the ominous and mysterious desert plains. But make sure to bring a coat — the nights are cold in the light of the Serpent Moon.