From Finland to the World. Vonulfsreich is a Finnish duo composed of the 2 multi-instrumentalists Yonulf and Fogg, and “Miasmal Winds” is their 3rd Full-length, second in 2022, and a peculiar one it is. These 7 tracks “touch” various locations of the Black Metal spectrum: harsher, slow-paced, groovier moments, Old School details… it is a diversified release. Besides the Black Metal elements, the duo venture into Dungeon Synth with “Frost” and it turns out to be a very nice moment, and a transition that works quite well. Overall, these tracks are quite simple and quickly “absorbed” by the listener. Nonetheless, the album has a very curious moment near the end of the 7th, and last, track, “Conqueror”, the song jumps into a very groovy riff, that carries the music until the end. Drums and Synths (correct me if wrong), start off a short, yet cool, 41 seconds jam (all the looks of a cool jam). I was not expecting this to occur, and although it has nothing to do with Black Metal, it is quite neat. The whole album has, as mentioned before, a different atmosphere, a different approach. It might not be aligned with what most Black Metal fans consider to be “the sound”, but it will fall under many peoples’ “blessings”. It is just a different, and very personal, view of Black Metal.
“New
Veins for Old Blood Master” (Fallen Temple,
2023)
Plague God is a fairly recent
band, starting out in 2021 by Armo, and recently deceased, Dr. Fé. Their latest
endeavor - “New Veins for Old Blood Master” - was initially released in
February by Necroeucharist Productions, and by Fallen Temple this July.
According to information obtained, vocals were still recorded by Dr. Fé, and
are truly pleasant. Plague God’s Black Metal is nothing superb or massively
magnificent; their sound is standard Black Metal, which is not bad, especially
for those that wish Black Metal’s evolution stopped prior to its start… I sense
a Punk, almost Motorhead feeling to it, at times. Overall, their sound is very
much aligned with the Norwegian perspective of Black Metal, the spirit and
emotion, the aggressiveness, etc. Overall, it is a simple Black Metal release,
one that does not push the listener, nor the genre, just provides some nice
tunes and all that. Sometimes, this is all we need, no gimmicks, no
ultra-technical structures, just simple and straightforward Black Metal.
“Non Serviam Black Metal (The Demos)” (Fallen Temple, 2023)
Illum Adora was formed in 2011,
and now re-releases their first two Demos (“Begotten” & “Unchained from
Slavery”, from 2015 and 2016 respectively). Musically speaking, Illum Adora
plays standard Black Metal. Connection to German Black Thrash act Cruel Force
through Hurricane Hellfukker (guitar and vocals) is heard at times, with the
pace leveling up to an almost Thrash Metal structure. And where do you sense
that the most? On the drums. That fast pace, that slightly Punk approach and
attitude. At times it sounds a bit misplaced, and sort of careless, especially
when the guitar and the vocals provide the listener with a different feeling.
Nonetheless, that does not take quality away from the music. It does have some
cool tunes, some bangers. “Prince of Hell and Fire” is a very interesting
track. That guitar solo, and the whole atmosphere, not that much of a Black
Metal atmosphere - more Old School Heavy Metal - is quite interesting and you
see yourself let go, and just bang your head. “Chosen to Dwell” is a Black
Thrash slap on the face, and very well done. The pace, the rhythm, all combined
make it a very cool and energetic track. Well, maybe more Black and Thrash, but
the drums - again - reign overall. It is a nice release, a simple, yet
effective Black Metal, with hints of Thrash, release. Check it.
Please check out my recently-born blog about obscure Italian metal bands of the 80s/90s.
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