That Ne Obliviscaris’ fourth LP, Exul, had a challenging conception would be an understatement. With tracking commencing in March 2020, travel restrictions kept the band apart physically for the recording process – meaning that the album is a truly international amalgamation of studios and engineers across four separate countries on three different continents. After what the band term “a slow, tedious life-altering two-year grind to complete Exul,” the album comes out March 24 on Season of Mist. Whilst such separation through writing and recording could lead to a release feeling like its parts don’t quite fit together, Exul instead feels truly organic and somewhat alive. This is embodied immediately with opener “Equus,” where the interactions between twin vocalists Tim Charles and Xenoyr w...