Berlingske's Jeppe Krogsgaard Christensen, Politiken's Simon Lund and Gaffa's Finn P. Madsen all gave The Lone Descent a rating of five out of six.[1][2][6] Krogsgaard Christensen described it as Of the Wand & the Moon's "artistic culmination".[2] Lund wrote that the fundamental neofolk concept has remained the same from the previous album, but "the texture has become many layers thicker";[6] Madsen wrote that the band has moved further away from previous models, such as Current 93 and Death in June, and closer to Lee Hazlewood and Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound".[1] Krogsgaard Christensen highlighted the track "Tear It Apart" and wrote that the combination of melancholy, beautiful melodies and musical ambition on every track is "brilliant".[2] Lund wrote that the "captivating melodies" should make it possible for the album to attract some international attention,[6] and Madsen called it "absolutely one of the best Danish releases of the year".[1]