Blackstaff Drowner EP Review

July 12, 2026
The cover of a game called the renfields

Blackstaff

Drowner EP

Independent Release

2026

 

Blackstaff are dropping a new EP, Drowner. Born in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State in 2022, BLACKSTAFF is the passion project of multi-instrumentalist and dark fantasy nerd Dustin Cleary.

 

You know how I’m always complaining that I want more. You’re about to hear it again. I. WANT. MORE!!! This is too good for just 3 songs, even if one song is almost 11 minutes long. This blackened nerdy doom is delicious to listen to. I loved getting lost in the instrumental moments and absolutely blown away by the screamy bits.

 

Honestly Swamp Lights is mesmerizing. You don’t even realize that it’s an 11-minute song because of the ebb and flow of it. You simply just find yourself swaying to it. Dustin Cleary is very obviously a bard in real life. Rolling a Natural 20 and hitting you with precision.

 

High recommend.


~Rook

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