Mourning Chant - “Hateful Immorality” (Atrocity Altar, 2022)

Greece is extremely well-known for its characteristic Black Metal sound; of this we are all well aware, so when the name is mentioned, we immediately assume that it will sound like A or B. This to show how strong the influence is. Nonetheless, evolution is ever present, and Greece is no exception. Strangely - or not - sometimes, it reminds me of Primordial, which makes some sense if we focus on the epic side of the Irish titan’s music and see how perfectly these Greek were able to put that into their music. 2^nd track - “Nocturnal Skies over the Mountainside” - shows just that, and it is one of the best Black Metal tracks I heard this year.

Funny how complex their music can be. Let us look into it a bit better: we have Black Metal, of course; we have an epic side to their music and their compositions, yes; their songs have this… groove, and I am aware how “dangerous” this might sound, but there is an overall sense of melody and something else, that comes from different sources, and not just Black Metal. You can hear that the band’s influences are not just plain classic Black Metal; it has a 90ies feeling, and that is what caught me, but it also has contemporary details. The guitar riffs are full of melody, the drums are so well-balanced, the vocals are audible just enough to enjoy.

Tracks are pushed to a point of almost hypnotic trance. Remember: this is Black Metal, and boundaries are pushed, over and over again, but I was not expecting to find the melodies, shifts, structures, breaks and whatever, that I found. It is like a different dimension, d’you know what I mean?! It blew my mind, honestly. “Howling of the Wintershadows” is an exercise in artistry. The way the melodies are put together really pushes the listener out of his comfort zone. Because, although I said this was Black Metal, I also said that this is more than just Black Metal. What in bloody Hell do we have here?! Post something?! Atmospheric Melodic Black Metal?! Nah, these atmospheres are not atmospheric, if that ever makes sense LOL

“Funeral Ceremonial Void” is, once again, a tune that apparently does not fit the genre at certain times. Well, very few of the tracks fit the genre at times. I keep hearing Shoegaze… but never falling into a weak version of the genre, you know? Identities shall not be named. On to more important things: Atrocity Altar is behind this exquisite piece of 2022 Black Metal, and I sincerely hope more people get to hear this, especially in a time and age where Raw Black Metal is going down the drain, in my opinion. Flame me if you wish…

With that, give these lads a go, but do not expect to hear influences from Rotting Christ or Varathron or whatever - at least not explicit - and prepare to be amazed, that is all I have to say on this release. Again: bloody amazed. Oh man, the beautiful melodies, not melancholic, but harsh enough for you to feel it inside. Ah, go for it, mates.