[1][2] He has also played live with a number of bands to fill in for missing guitarists or bassists over the years (e.g. Adzalaan, Benighted in Sodom, Dagger Lust, Heimnar, In Ruins, and Triumvir Foil).
However, it wasn’t until 2019 when Swedish vocalist, Likpredikaren, joined Ringarë that they release their first full length album, Under the Pale Moon, on Iron Bonehead Productions.
Spyros Stasis of PopMatters says, "It might have taken a while for Chaos Moon to reach this state, a surprising result considering how potent and promising the two early records of the band were.
"[6] Moreover, Jacob Buczarski of Mare Cognitum opines that Poole’s “rejection of traditional black metal tropes in favor his own signature method of building atmosphere creates an experience that manages to be both meditative and punishing simultaneously.”[2] Regarding Eschaton Mémoire, Decibel comments, “While guitarists Alex Poole and Steven Blackburn ensorcell the din and beauty of the two-part “The Pillar, the Fall, and the Key” songs are easy rabbit holes to fall into, Eric Baker growls and squawks an end-time message that paints a very dark picture.
The Philadelphians are journeymasters, able to cast off into dreamland with the quickest of turns or descend into the vantablack abyss with ease, often within the same song.”[7] In 2012, Poole expanded his style with Esoterica which tended to have more Ambient music and Shoegazing components than Chaos Moon.
Regarding Transient, Grayson Haver Currin of Pitchfork noted, “It’s a full-band feat, motivated by the drums but pulled along by Alex Poole’s spectacularly assorted riffs.
[12][13][14] Poole also created psychedelic black metal band, Skáphe, in 2014 and released the self-titled first album on Fallen Empire Records.
Its essence is easily the biggest influence for Skáphe.”[17] Furthermore, during an interview with Eric Gallippo of Vice, Poole further describes the origin of Skáphe’s sound, “For me, it was writing something that was kind of abandoning guitar chords.
(Dagur Gíslason), frontman for Icelandic black metal band, Misþyrming, began contributing vocals to Skáphe.
Thick, pummeling riffs verging on bestial black metal suddenly give way to eerie ambience that echoes in a cavernous manner.”[20] In 2019, H.V.
Lyngdal, Icelandic vocalist from Wormlust, joined Skáphe to release Kosmískur Hryllingur (2019), which is Icelandic for “Cosmic Horror.” This album received some positive comments from Lars Gotrich of NPR who wrote, “Your mileage may vary (or be completely non-existent) when it comes to black metal made to sound like a collapsing black hole.
But this collaboration understands that the darker depths of psychedelia can wield some brilliantly colored nightmares.”[21] 2016 saw the creation of one of the most diverse international black metal groups: Martröð.
[28] Regarding the album, Maxen of GRIMM comments, “On Slit Throat Requiem the dark elements are cast into the magical cauldron to form a haunting sensation.
While the nightmarish rasps conjures up the images of haunted medieval castles, the music transports you to the ghostly landscapes.”[29] Moreover, Heaviest of Art concludes, “Slit Throat Requiem is a fantastic return to the glorious era of late nineties Symphonic Black Metal that many listeners have been clutching to for nearly two decades.”[30] In 2020, Poole recorded all instruments for his new occult black metal band, Haxanu.
His uncompromising approach to creating exclusively final form black metal albums combined with his prolific output and philosophical creativity represent the pillars of his genius.”[1] The review from Invisible Oranges notes, “Snare of All Salvation balances itself on a razor's edge, bringing duality into a monist reality: atmosphere is aggression, hostility is ambiance.