Obscure Twilight 
“Promo Tape 2022” (Signal Rex, 2022)

Poland has a very long history of exquisite Black Metal; Poland has a very long history of controversial Black Metal. The truth is that the Polish scene of the 90ies - of which a comeback is being observed, and celebrated - was full of a kind Black Metal that no one was able to replicate. There is no need to name the bands, or the musicians, that started it all, but their legacy lives on in bands like Diabolical Fullmoon and Obscure Twilight, for example. Musically speaking, Obscure Twilight is all I love in the genre: raw, visceral, melodic, crafty, exquisite approach to the genre, old-sounding and, at the same time, a delicate type of dark and haunting atmospheric Black Metal. It is a short piece of music, but it is a very well-conceived piece of Black Metal.

Isaiah, the man behind Obscure Twilight and Death by Mace, and previously Regnat Infernum and Moonglare, was born in 2002, which makes him around 23 years old, and that is impressive, if I may say. Listening to a specific era of the genre, and creating music reminiscent of a certain era, are two different things, and one is much easier to do than the other. Nonetheless, he did pull it off successfully. The old scent of Black Metal, the moldy atmosphere, all is present, and very well-designed, very well-played, very well everything, if I may.

It is a short Demo, truth, but packed with all we - especially the older ones - love about Black Metal: it has this haunting atmosphere, these slow-paced moments and riffs, the vocals are very standard, but fit the music perfectly. So, no need for over-the-top cunning, as his Art is close to perfect. Guitar riffs are cold as Hell, the drums are very simple and repetitive, but we need no more! In conclusion: Obscure Twilight delights us with a very simple, yet effective, construction of Black Metal; nonetheless, very melodic. You know that old sounding melody? Yes… this is it. The young lad was able to replicate all the best from his native Poland, and yeah… got us.

2 Black Metal tracks and 2 Instrumental tracks, 16 minutes, and 8 seconds… magick.

Hinterland
“A Wild Lament” (2023)

Every time I go back to this release the first thing that comes to mind is Satyricon. “Again Flow the Waters” has this Satyricon aroma that grabs you immediately; not Old School Satyricon, but a more modern version of the band. But first things first: Hinterland was born of mind of the same man behind Plainchant, D.C.; Plainchant was a surprise, a very good surprise. Its brand of Black Metal with more modern melodies was a win. You can read my thoughts on that on this Blog (INSERIR LINK), but today we focus on his latest endeavor, “A Wild Lament”, released in April of this year, with the aid of A.R. on guitars; meaning the lad takes care of vocals, guitars, synth, bass, and drums. A multi-instrumental artist.

The beauty of this release is the multitude of places it takes you. I feel so at home when I put this on, as it reminds me of the mountains, the creeks, the dirt… of home. It has, in my opinion, a more conservative approach to Black Metal than Plainchant. Plainchant uses Post-Black Metal as a vehicle, while Hinterland lives more on the Atmospheric side of the genre. The usage of synths gives it that more traditional sound. “A Wild Lament” has been on heavy rotation since it came out, and it holds so much emotion, so much depth and feeling, that it is easy to identify with its melodies. “The Yonder Moon is Waning” is a majestic track, one that has a very delicate side, while at the same time a dark and haunting structure. It all reminds me of Autumn, in a way. Gloomy atmospheres and piercing guitar riffs, the vocals are harsh and strong, slightly buried beneath the instrumental pieces.

If Plainchant was immensely good, Hinterland is, in my modest opinion, better. The mentioned connection with a more traditional side of Black Metal makes it closer to the heart, more emotional and personal. Nevertheless, I advise all of you to check all his works.

Izrod
“Sarajevski Odisej” (Signal Rex, 2023)

Izrod could quite easily be taken as a reincarnation of the now defunct Void Prayer, the Bosnian entity and the many deranged individuals that fed the Beast. I have always seen Void Prayer as the musical expression of the destroyed Sarajevo, and Izrod goes along similar lines. Mid-paced Black Metal with moments of crazy insanity… quite the description, I reckon. Nonetheless, a close description. In all honesty, I was never a fan of Void Prayer. There was something about their sound that never really clicked, and they have all the elements that make me love Black Metal to this day. Go figure the Human Mind. “Sarajevski Odisej” is a modern expression of the genre, and it is a Heavy and Dark “product”. Well, modern might not be the most precise adjective, but there is a considerable percentage of contemporaneity in their sound.

The basis of Black Metal is all there; “Prokleto Gorje” has this guitar solo that makes you go wow, and it does not damage the track one bit, it does not make it sound weak or displaced. So, we can see these lads going for it and pushing it, be it with Old School sounding elements, or more “modern” structures. All tracks are pushed to the max with guitar solos, pounding drums, more complex details, variations, etc. But fear not, for Izrod’s sound is dark; a bit like a warzone, one has a sense of Melancholy intertwined with a more Death scent, if that makes sense. What stands out is how melodic it is. I was expecting something more chaotic and aggressive; however, these 6 tracks are quite melodic and of easy assimilation. If we look at the musicians’ resume, one expects something more visceral and rawer, but at the same time we should be expecting something outside the box.

It does not cease to be Black Metal, but different and varied layers are put one over the other to craft this beast of a record. I am loving the guitar solos (and may the musicians correct me if I am wrong) and how they provide the music with a special flow.