Decayed / Velório

“The Devil Made Us Do It” (Nekrogoat Heresy Productions, 2023)

One thing is certain: no one can stop J.A. and his Black Metal machine, Decayed, and we, the fans, thank him for that. In all honesty, it is clear that his sound is no longer the same from when Decayed first started, and then they went through a more Black n’ Roll phase – which was not their best moment, in my opinion – but it seems they went back to a more Black Metal sound, and they sound pretty good. Maybe Vulturius had something to do with this shift in sound. Nonetheless, great to have them back. On the opposite side we have another Portuguese Black Metal project/band/artist: Velório. Velório had been asleep since 2012, since the release of its first Split with IRAE, and 2023 sees a comeback… and with Decayed. So, what we have in front of us is a superb example of how good the Portuguese Black Metal scene is, although people tend to prefer some specific projects/bands/artists, mostly due to their connections to scene A or B, sub-genre C and D, or whatever they select justification for condescending this and that. Raging on.

Decayed is, as you all most know, 1/3 of the Unholy Trinity of Portuguese Black Metal, and their importance in the Portuguese Heavy Metal scene is still very much felt. Their sound did go through some changes, as mentioned above, however they always managed to offer above average Black Metal albums. Some more Black Metal than others, but all with the Decayed stamp, if you will. For this Split specifically, I dare say the band invoked old spirits, and these 3 tracks came to live. You can still feel that Rock n’ Roll thing in the music, but they sure have power and fierceness. Vulturius vocal presence is very much appreciated, and it does give the band a little something, a “sleazy aroma”. All in all, this is Decayed and Decayed is this. We always know what to expect, and we know it will be a solid punch in the face of God.

Velório was formed in 2010 by Angel-O, who is also in Death Feast and Nethermancy. You never heard of these names? Please, do check quickly, for both have released, in 2023, some of the best Portuguese Black/Thrash I have heard in a long time! That Old School, classic, and close to the genre’s roots, sound. This time around Angel-O is back, and what a return! If you enjoyed his collaboration with IRAE, I risk saying you will be totally absorbed by this new set of songs. Velório’s sound is not similar to Decayed in any way. It is more of a 2^nd wave inspired Black Metal, while Decayed is 1^st wave, so you can imagine that “the planets do not align” in that sense. I can hear Norway more than anything else, honestly; Norway from the 90ies for that matter. Love the music, love the melodies, love the atmospheres, love everything about this release, and I am very curious to see how well he will pull off a full album, because that is the next step. In terms of how it sounds… Emperor is a possibility, though less symphonic. There is this melody that I do associate with the Norwegian band, although not blatantly, of course. Delicate moments of an almost symphonic approach and structure. Perhaps Setherial and Naglfar, Gorgoroth’s “Pentagram”, or maybe I am completely wrong. May the artist enlighten us on his biggest influences, please? Serious question.

All things considered, Velório is a much more melodic band than Decayed. Decayed comes from a much more “aggressive” background, and although Velório is no less violent, the way both bands display their Black Metal is somewhat different. And this is what, in the end, makes this Split such a great release. Two great bands, one superb collaboration.

Nekrogoat Heresy Productions Official Bandcamp