After nearly a decade of silence, Latvian melodic symphonic black metal outfit Ocularis Infernum return with “Strife and Ascendance,” a towering composition, more like the opening chapter of a new era. Long known for blending aggression with atmosphere, the band pushes its sound further than ever before, crafting an epic journey where black metal ferocity and live classical instrumentation stand shoulder to shoulder rather than competing for space.
What immediately sets “Strife and Ascendance” apart is its organic approach to orchestration. Instead of treating strings and brass as decorative background layers, Ocularis Infernum weave them directly into the fabric of the composition. Violin, cello, double bass, trombone, and French horn become active participants in the storytelling, giving the track a cinematic scope without sacrificing its metallic bite.
The song opens deceptively with plucked strings and deep resonant tones that create an atmosphere of anticipation. Then the storm breaks. Drums crash into life with relentless force while crushing guitars surge forward, and vocalist and screamer Renārs Reinis Vilers unleashes a barrage of harsh growls. His hoarse, urgent delivery cuts through the dense arrangement like a storming blade, embodying the struggle that lies at the heart of the song.
Yet Ocularis Infernum understand that power comes from contrast. Throughout the track, moments of intimate orchestral beauty emerge from the chaos, allowing violin and cello passages to breathe before the music ascends into larger-than-life climaxes. Brass flourishes add grandeur, choirs swell behind the riffs, and blast-beat-driven percussion propels everything forward with unstoppable momentum.
Lyrically, “Strife and Ascendance” rejects hopelessness in favor of resilience. Its message revolves around enduring darkness rather than surrendering to it, presenting adversity as a trial that can either break or strengthen the spirit. The recurring calls to “strive and ascend” transform the song into something surprisingly uplifting beneath its blackened exterior.
Driven by the songwriting of Magnuss Znatnajs and Andris Začs, and elevated by an impressive roster of guest musicians, “Strife and Ascendance” honors the melodic black metal traditions of the early 2000s while embracing a broader, more mature vision.
For Ocularis Infernum, this comeback is a statement of evolution, ambition, and enduring creative fire.
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Review by: Naomi Joan