Concept albums don't tend to lend themselves to the death metal genre, as the vocals are hard to understand, and the point may be missed. However, with the minor effort of pulling out the lyrics, one will be greatly rewarded, and the full scope of Fuscus will be revealed. The brief, but subtly creepy intro "Into the Gyre" sets the stage with our introduction to the witch. Shifting quickly to a dark, grim blast of guitar fueled death, "Blood From Earth" propels the story forward with a chilling, thick stew of evil tinged metal. Forced off into the woods, the witch promises her return in a deliberate and creepy manner. The layers of guitars are intricate and punishing, and add a disorienting air which helps to build the dark atmosphere. Lowering the tone, and starting with a boisterous bass, the eponymous black lyre makes its debut in "Deepwoods Nonesuch." As promised, the witch will have her revenge, and her horrifying reprisal is marked by the sound of an eldritch black lyre. In an almost Lovecraftian metamorphosis, abducted children are transformed into bizarre, otherworldly creatures in "Amnioticysts." An unexpected synth intro adds to this unearthly piece of the story, and the tremolo'd riff brings the listener back into the grim abode of this evil witch. Low vocals play alongside slow to mid-paced death. Beginning with slow dissonance before picking up into fast, vile death, "Lungwort" brings out all the terror of the witch's abode and her new brood of fully hatched servants. Her message is clear, "You were warned to stay away," "See your little ones/See how glorious they have become." Thick and grimy, this one is reminiscent of Darkthrone's Soulside Journey. However, it's placement in the album and horrifying revelations make it far more serious. Slow, deliberate riffing is the basis for "The Harrowed Column." The witch's army is built and the lyre once again begins to play. Closing out the tale is "An Ancient Tradition." Dirgy and almost wistful, the guitars build the atmosphere for the final act of the witch's revenge. The Black Lyre plays, heralding her return. Armed with her vile brood, she will have vengeance on those that have wronged her. The righteous plan their judgement, unaware of the terror that awaits them.

Well written and skillfully played, Fuscus: Strings of the Black Lyre is an engaging tale of righteousness and revenge spiced up with horrifying imagery and vocabulary (as only death metal can do). The accompanying artwork adds greatly to the experience, and they lyrics need to be read for the album to be enjoyed fully. Solid, one-man death metal tinged with blackness, The Wakedead Gathering's newest LP is a great album that will hold up to repeated listening.