Black Metal from Poland. First vinyl release. A manifestation of the Chthonic forces of Death and a sonic portal to the Nightside.

"The music relies heavily on dissonant and disorienting melodies with a spectral cast, creating chilling atmospheres of terror and torment. Nightmarish visions swirl about the music both when the band is in the throes of a bestial blood frenzy and when it simply feels like the music is sailing into a haunted void or on the brink of a mental breakdown. The variation in the vocals between deranged panther-like shrieks and unsettling wails (as well as operatic female vocals) is another strength in a staggeringly strong debut."
- NO CLEAN SINGING

"The title is truly classic black metal, and it would be reasonable to expect Norwegian 90’s rehash. While that would have been completely unproblematic – originality being the last refuge of the scoundrel – Ars Magna Umbrae’s sole member does offer something rather different. Solidly in the black metal camp, with screeching guitars, shifting pacing and violently screaming vocals, Through Lunar Gateways focuses more on play with harmonies and building strange soundscapes than reusing the riffs of yore. The term avant-garde black metal isn’t used a whole lot these days, but in this case it is quite fitting. Switching smoothly between minor-scale, depressive BM riffs of a more common variety and bizarre, disharmonious assaults, Ars Magna Umbrae efficiently contrast rather cookie-cutter atmospheric segments with parts marked by an extremely alien atmosphere. With Through Lunar Gateways, Ars Magna Umbrae has entered whatever remains of the black metal scene with a loud, if obscure and occult, bang. The EP combines tradition and a bizarre type of creativity and, in the end, becomes something very memorable."
- Archaic Triad

"The music on this release is swamped in such rich darkness that you feel like you’re going to be swallowed whole by it. Dissonant riffs are merged with swirling leads to fashion black metal that sounds as if it was created in some form of occult maelstrom. The music is very well-written and constructed. This is not an EP that shows any hesitancy in delivery, or uncertainty of intent. Through Lunar Gateways has arrived fully formed and impressively, stunningly, realised. The blackened screams and shrieks sound rabid and hateful, and like everything else here are very well-performed. They form the bulk of the vocals on this EP, but they’re certainly not the only style given an outing. The artist is also joined by female operatic guest vocals now and again, adding yet another dimension to the well-thought-out black metal that this release offers. This EP has a very strong production and execution, so much so that it’s hard to imagine one person doing all this; Through Lunar Gateways sounds like a full band. This has impressed the Hell out of me. There’s only about 23 minutes of music here too; imagine what this artist could do with a whole album’s worth of material? Hopefully he won’t make us wait too long to find out."
- Wonderbox Metal

"Through howling vocals, serpentine riffs, chaotic drumming and an overall sinister atmosphere, Ars Magna Umbrae present their brand new EP Through Lunar Gateways. This new malevolent EP is riddled with seven poisonous tracks that emanate evil and spew forth malicious and diseased black metal. The darkness that lurks within this EP certainly is palpable as Ars Magna Umbrae put forth a truly damning and soul tearing release. These hellions don’t seem to hold anything back within this EP as they lay it all out on the altar of sacrifice to provide you with a wonderfully grim and sinister listen. No matter whether you are getting the more haunting and melodic sounds or the blasting flesh tearing ones, there is no denying that this EP is great. Each track is solid and executed well gifting to you the sound of utter skin crawling darkness. Overall, you just can’t go wrong with this EP if you are a fan of black metal, and from here on it will be exciting to see what Ars Magna Umbrae has to offer next."
- Cadaver Garden

"Morbid sounding guitar lines remind a bit of recent Mayhem and there is the plummet dropping dissonance of group’s such as Blut Aus Nord and Deathspell Omega forged on tracks such as ‘Against The Light.’ Vocals snarl and retch away with a caustic bite about them, hungry and focussed within the realms of the hefty musical cosmos. This is serious stuff and for a debut by one artist it really does make one sit up and pay attention. At times things lurch in a doom like stumble, slow yet poised for attack. Those chants that were mentioned add another dimension and are incredibly sinister in their ceremonial but not overstated delivery. Some of the underlying melody is striking before the next shredding thrust bursts out and adds a chaotic furrow."
- Ave Noctum