One thing we cannot accuse this one-man band of is being lazy: in a short life-time since 2013 when the project was born, Morphinist has produced nine albums (as of this time of writing) and almost as many minor releases. I do fear that when an act, especially a solo act helmed by someone who happens to have fingers in several pies as Argwohn does, racks up a considerable discography in a short space of time, the music is in danger of slipping into autopilot groove and the recordings churned out end up being variations on a very narrow theme. Having not heard very many of Morphinist's output, I will give Argwohn the benefit of the doubt and try to approach "Terraforming" on its own terms.

With the three tracks forming chapters of a long work, I presume "Terraforming" to be a concept recording where listeners really have to use their imaginations to make sense of what they think Argwohn is aiming for and to get satisfaction out of that. The music is straightforward melodic minimal dark post-metal rock that morphs into raw blizzard-like black metal. While there is singing, it's so far back in the mix that it comes across as almost washed-out background noise. Argwohn uses plenty of clean guitar-work along with the noisy BM strings and occasional post-metal furry-edged tremolo showers.

Track 1 is a surprisingly laidback piece that, for its length, is very focused and which occasionally delves into darker emotional detours on its meandering journey. There is not very much "atmosphere" of the kind laid on by analogue synth but in the spaces within the music there is bleakness and melancholy. Track 2 is a shorter piece but its rhythms and beats bring in a more urgent and foreboding feel. Along with the BM-fuelled battery charge, the whole song could pass for a dark post-metal pop piece, its riffs and melodies being very distinctive "alternative mainstream" pop in structure and mood. Track 3 is a sprawling and complex piece, still with one eye on its goal as it navigates through the varying geographies, in sound and mood, of the dark universe inhabited by the album. At times it aspires to and reaches epic dramatic heights, though the minimal styling of the music means that the song lacks the power and depth that would make it really grand. To compensate, Argwohn has to work hard to maintain the momentum by introducing more riffs and speeding up the pace.

It's a good recording to relax to and let yourself go on a roving journey with Argwohn as your guide and pilot. There's sparing use of synthesiser in the background on all tracks for a space-ambient impression but that is actually as far as Morphinist will go in shaping a definite atmosphere. Anyone who might have expected something more grinding, bass-heavy and industrial-influenced because of the album's title will have to change expectations and go along with Morphinist's interpretation of the title. The music probably could have done with a more layered and complexed delivery other than the minimal use of guitars and drumming, as there are sections (especially on the last track) where the tracks need to be more intense and inspire deep feeling and wonder.

I’ve followed Argwohn’s work for several years now and, while still waiting on one of his other projects [Galaktik Cancer Squad] to put out another release, I can happily say that his other bands have done more than enough to tide me over. It’s the same with Morphinist, atmospheric and progressive post-black metal. His latest release, Terraforming, is in classic form, with complex riffing that draws the listener in to the point that time and space literally melt away.

Terraforming I opens up with a nice intro of synth before a series of hypnotic riffs and percussion begin to unfold. Slow-moving and moody, it sets the stage for the rest of the album. About 4 minutes in, it explodes with distortion and blast beats, instantly grabbing the listener's attention. Unlike Terraforming II, it is complex and full of flair with soloing matching the fever's pitch of the drums. Terraforming II, the shortest track at only 5 minutes and change, is both simplistic and stylistic, relying on only several riffs to carry the breadth of the song through to completion. Opening with a nice synth intro, much like Terraforming I before clean guitars and percussion comprise the majority of it, it is haunting and beautiful. About 2 minutes in, Argwohn unleashes hell with a barrage of distortion to compliment the clean guitars. Vocals executed much in the same way as later Galaktik Cancer Squad albums, they’re more a part of the background ambience versus set in the forefront of the song. Before long, the song returns to the simplistic clean riff and percussion. Very nicely done.

Terraforming III continues the stylization of textured synth with clean guitars to an even further degree, erupting into distortion and percussion about 2 minutes in. The musicianship feels more meditative and driven in this track versus the previous ones. Still atmospheric, but with a definite focus, it builds in guitar riffing and percussion to a critical mass of pure black metal mayhem, blast beats and shrieked vocals galore before tapering off into the same meditative trance as the two previous tracks. All in all, this band has the potential to redefine the very nature of German black metal. A must for fans of Galaktik Cancer Squad and Krallice!