Where do you land on long-form black metal in general, and does this album make a strong case for the format?

Without any real experience with the genre, I thought this was pretty awesome. The long-form songwriting felt like it gave more space for exploration, rather than metal’s typical emotional outbursts. What was most interesting to me was the intent of that exploration. For a band like Tool, just as an example, long-form seems to take on a journey. This felt like we were pulverized by a single emotion that gave that emotion new depth. Not sure if that makes sense, but my general feeling from this format/genre of music is being pummeled.

I completely agree - I think you've put your finger on something really true - Tool's developmental approach is meant to take you. This approach is durational, with one state held for so long, building and building, time is what enhances the depth. Your word 'pulverized' is exactly it. The emotion doesn't move, but it deepens with every repetition. I would argue that this isn't black metal, but post, atmospheric sludge, but there are blackened elements for sure. I don't usually feel so strongly about an album so soon - I listened for the first time on Monday - but that scream in the middle of Elder Bairn, where the distrotion lands is one of the most effective things I've heard in ages.