released March 18, 2022
Written and recorded from winter 2020 to spring 2021.
All sounds, recording, and mixing by Josh Hines.
Mastering by Scott Briggs at Velocity Studios.
#13 Black Metal of 2022
- Metal Storm Awards
#9 of 2022
“It was an earlier Starer release which first introduced me to the incredibly talented and prolific Josh Hines. The atmospheric and subtly symphonic black metal of the solo Starer is probably my favorite project overall of his, but keep scrolling down to find another of his releases in a different style ranked even higher. The What It Is To Be is a tribute to his venerable dog Chewie who, though he unfortunately passed earlier this year, outlived all the vets predictions and saw the release of this album.”
- Mosh Pit Nation
“Starer - The What it is to Be - Melodic black metal from Bowling Green. This western Kentucky band flIes under a lot of peoples radar but I highly suggest you check it out, great stuff!” Best of 2022
- Forever Steel
"With The What It Is To Be, Starer finds a nice balance between spectral atmospheres and abrasive bites within a black metal vibrating with a tenderly melancholy emphasis."
- The Black Circle - Childeric Thor (France)
childericthor88.blogspot.com/2022/11/kronik-starer-whata-it-is-to-be-2022.html
Top Metal Albums of the Month March 2022
- Music Waves (France)
"The first note on this album you can hear that it won't be an imitation of everyone else in the genre. The note warbles into darkness and feels unsettling. This album goes on to capture many different atmospheres; foreboding, adventurous, sombre, and more. I find every track huge in its climax and sometimes spine tingling buildup.
The title sounds like a boring post rock album. The What It Is To Be is a little post, but the least boring album ever. It's atmospheric fundamentally, but gets into more symphonic territory for a few bars here and there. Super high level songwriting, produced well, and played precisely. Lo-fi and Hi-fi are used expertly for the best effect throughout. I've been listening to this regularly for months now, and it's definitely gonna rank high for 2022's top picks." 100/100
- Metal Kingdom
“Starer is one of a kind. In a genre where countless bands aim to harness whipping winds into works of hurry-up impressionistic rage and beauty, Starer methodically crafts monumental and transcendent atmospheric black metal from stone chisel by chisel. By focusing on steady pacing and meticulous composition, with each instrument its own building block, we watch in awe as it all comes together — like watching an eclipse slowly blotting out the sun. This approach is all decidedly more rock-and-roll, and big-riff magic shines, grooves breathe, and stylistic flourishes take on more weight. Of course, one capable of this kind of purposeful design and meticulous playing can blast at will, and when Starer finally does so on “Fire Of The Son,” it’s precision piston-fire power, a fury, backed by a lively bass, that aims for the horizon and disappears. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the fantastic vocals, that grate exquisitely with electric crackle.”
- Stereogum
“Expressive atmospheric black metal that adds in post-metal more creatively than many of its peers: Starer is unafraid to retreat from traditional black metal territory to nail down a motif, taking its time and using pacing and dynamics to conjure massive vistas.”
- Invisible Oranges
"With "The What It Is To Be", Starer finds a nice balance between spectral atmospheres and abrasive bites within a black metal vibrating with a melancholic emphasis."
- Underground Black Metal Bandcamp
Best of 2022 So Far
- Deaf to All but Metal
"The atmosphere is incredibly strong on this record. It just pulls you in and doesn't let go. Overall, this was a phenomenal album. I know I said this a few times already this year, but this album is probably my favorite black metal release of 2022 so far. Check it out. Now." 10/10
- Dom Album Reviews (Hungary)
"It does not get more majestic in scope or more personable and emotive than this new album from one-man project Starer - or indeed, seismically heavy. This one has a full range, from gossamer ambience to earth-rending riff."
- Order ov the Black Arts
Best of March
- Black Metal Daily
"Once you listen you’ll undoubtedly find it to be one of the most quietly affecting albums you’ll hear this year. An album very much Josh, but also very much all of us… an album that may help you answer questions about yourself that you didn’t even know you had"
- Black Metal Daily
“The What It Is to Be is a very strong record, and if you’re a fan of the atmospheric blackened styles then you should hear this as a priority.
Very highly recommended.“
- Wonderbox Metal
“Immense. Emotional. Gripping. Mature. All of these are adjectives which could be used to describe The What It Is To Be. The album has gotten a ton of spins from me since receiving it and sometimes weaves through my thoughts even when I’m not actually listening. Starer once again has a hold of me. For this, I’m grateful.”
- Moshpit Nation
"With "The What It Is To Be", Starer finds a nice balance between spectral atmospheres and abrasive bites within a black metal vibrating with a melancholic emphasis." 4/5
- Music Waves (France)
"Considering how overcrowded the Cascadian Black Metal scene has become over the past few years, Starer may serve as a great example of an enjoyable, even ear-friendly representative of the genre. While The What It Is To Be does not break (so far) any new grounds, it is multi-layered and kaleidoscopic and is designed with good taste for music."
- DPRP (Netherlands)
"An album that warrants a check by those who tend to be intrigued by progressive metal with a bit more of an extreme metal foundation."
- Progressor (Uzbekistan)
“The What It Is To Be” is a detailed, ambitious & competent piece of modern Underground Black Metal.”
- A Different Perspective
“I am compelled to say that STARER most certainly delivered an immensely intense listen, offering this obscure but epic conundrum of spectral but dainty experience in which serves greatly and elegantly towards the shadowy sub-genre we have here. An enjoyably entertaining experience that surely deserves discovering should you fancy a Black Metal piercing. “The What It Is To Be” is definitely an exquisite performance of avant-garde diligence that most fans are to relish in; worthy of spinning & replaying a good handful of times, do check it out.” 8/10
- Metal Temple
“The What it Is to Be” is a well-written and well-balanced of excellent well-executed craftsmanship, musicianship & showmanship, which consist of capturing/creating this perfect musical spectrum of making an album that’s dark/grim, atmospheric, dry, (somewhat) raw – but overall “Starer” as provided the listener with another entertaining release, that’s neither dull nor repetitive.“
- Metal 1 on 1 (UK)
“Here comes the second full-length album of the US solo project "Starer" released jointly by Onism Productions and Fólkvangr Records...The listener will be immersed in an atmospheric, symphonic and progressive black metal, moving away from the interludes of Post Black etc. Another interesting record guys.”
- The Metal Abyss Promotion
“Reminds me more of atmospheric black but still richer and more energetic. "With "The What It Is To Be", Starer finds a nice balance between spectral atmospheres and abrasive bites within a black metal vibrating with a melancholic emphasis."
- Scandium Cold
"Cant believe how well this is done! Skill, craft, execution ... just great! A round, well put together release!" 79/100
- Madman Reviews
"This is another great sounding recording from Starer and if you are a fan of atmospheric, symphonic and post black metal, you should check out this album. 8/10"
- Occult Black Metal Zine