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Mara - “Loka Maer” (2022)

Let us go back in time, to 2022, Sweden, and focus on Mara’s 4th release, “Loka Maer”, released by Immortal Frost Productions. Vindsval has been carrying the torch since 2010, and progressively maturing his Art and his Vision. “Loka Maer” was released last year, in March, and it revealed itself to be a very consistent, and interesting work.

Sweden is more than known for its contribution to Heavy Metal in general, and Black Metal in particular. The approach, the “formula” used by the Swedish is easily recognizable as being Swedish Black Metal, again showing how the two are connected: the location and the sound. Mara drinks from the Swedish sound, from the Swedish Folklore, and develops a sound that has elements of Old School Black Metal and elements of today’s Black Metal sound. You can expect melodies captured from ancient times, from ancient tribes and ritualistic events, and a clear production.

The melodies, the powerful riffing. Mara has gathered these bits and pieces and conceived a tapestry of sounds, whilst never losing notion of their birthplace and origin. Arckanum can be listed as an influence, as being present in the band’s sound, which is not a lie, but not a complete truth. The tracks have essence and emotion; “Thursaeidr”, for example, lives between two worlds: the melodies that sooth, the Autumn atmospheres, and on the other side a more aggressive, almost violent, sound… the track goes through various stages, and in all you feel a warmth, a sweetness in the mellower melodies.

An album that focusses on melodies - be it aggressive or more melodic and gentle - and provides the listener with an amazing journey.


Muert - “Haeresis” (2022)

Welcome to the Canary Islands, Spain, a place of myths and legends… and a hard striking Black Metal duo called Muert, formed by Guayota & Ebola. Muert has been around since 2010 and has been steadily building foundations. “Haeresis” is the duo’s 4th LP, this time released by Immortal Frost Productions.

“Haeresis” is a skull crushing Black Metal onslaught! 8 tracks of violent and aggressive Black Metal. The duo is all over the place in terms of overwhelming power! Drumming on this one is thunderous and ferocious, while the guitars are cutting and sharp. I would not call it War Black Death Metal, but it does have that feeling, that charisma. 1st track is the perfect intro for the mayhem we are about to sustain, which is violent, aggressive, constant pounding. At times you might feel that thing to not line up, that paces are unaligned, but it all comes back sounding perfectly fused. Curious that I have never been a big fan of war-like Black Metal - and although Muert is not within that spectrum - I can hear the melodies buried beneath all the violence.

Some tracks have this heavy groove (e.g.: “La Maldición de Laurinaga”), this repetitive groove and riff that pushes and pushes. All in all, a different track, but a very good one, nonetheless. I do enjoy the vocals. They sound like this terrifying scream. A mad man’s deranged scream. And they fit the music very well, very well.

All in all, a very good release, with hints of Old School Black Metal - on the Bestial side - and details of freshness and a contemporary vision. Quite recommendable.


Frostmoon Eclipse - “Rustworn” (2022)

Frostmoon Eclipse has been around since 1994, with makes them one of the oldest Black Metal bands in Italy. Their sound is a curious one, especially having the previous information available. Very little bands fuse the acoustic with the aggressive, in Black Metal; even less bands - if any - did it back in the 90ies. The all-around tone of the band is very peculiar, very Frostmoon Eclipse, if that makes sense.

“Rustworn” is the band’s latest release. A 5 track EP, being 2 new tracks, and the remaining 3, live renditions of older tunes. The new ones are quite good. Love the bass on the 2nd, just for you all to be prepared. The melancholic, yet abrasive, state in which the band builds their music is very good. I remember falling in love with Foscor’s latest LP, “Els Sepulcres Blancs”, mostly due to this sort of dichotomy between Dark and Melancholic moments.

“Rustworn” and “Relentless, Circling” are the 2 new tracks on the EP and showcase a band with quite a keen sense of melody. Both tracks are quite melodic and melancholic, I dare say. Shifting in pace gives the tracks plenty of dynamics and soul. “Rustworn” and “Relentless, Circling” are not that different, honestly. Both very powerful and dynamic; hints of Black Metal are there, obviously, but you have something more, something different, rather than simply projecting old melodies, the band pursued more “modern” approaches. If these are a preview of what is to come, it left me quite curious.



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