Bastard Altar –
“Struggling Beams of a Waning Moon” (Geistraum Records / Escafismo Records,
2021)
You probably heard of Bow Wielder
before, right? A Raw Black Punk Metal act from Virginia, USA. Well, the lad
behind this insane entity created one more of these insane entities, by the
name of Bastard Altar. Unlike its odd brother, Bastard Altar lives on a slightly
distinct universe. Wait, we still have powerful moments of rage and
aggressiveness, but Ben added an element that I have loved since I first
started with black metal: keyboards. Those small, very well-placed moments,
where the keyboard is the most important element in the song… it is amazing. It
is, indeed, a relatively short Demo, but a gigantic one at the same time.
2 songs, 2 instrumental moments (Intro
and Interlude). These moments where no voice is heard, are particularly
intense, in my opinion. Peaceful and slow, we get entangled in its webs, its
melodies that lure us into this black, bottomless pit, claustrophobic abyss…
this is Black Metal at its best. Call it Raw, call it Melodic, I have no
interest in labeling it, if I may be honest. It still holds aa bit of that rage
we get from Bow Wielder, yet it is much more controlled, directed if I may,
instead of just exploding, and hitting everything and everyone around.
Masterfully crafted, completely.
“A Glacial Tomb” ends the release, and
what an ending. Majestically, without a doubt. In line with the title, it takes
me to cold mountains and snowy days. The keyboards do help in giving it that
winter vibe. Nonetheless, it is a remarkable release, a very cold and beautiful
concept of Black Metal. Slow to mid-paced rhythm, melodic riff, hollowing
vocals, charging drums, all is perfectly aligned.
Psychonaut 4 “… Of Mourning” (Immortal Frost Productions, 2024) Psychonaut 4 have been spreading their specific human condition for several years now, 14 to be more precise, and only now have I contacted their sound! The name was well-known, but the music was not. I have never been a fan of the more depressive side of the genre, and these lads live inside that sphere; thing is, their sound has small details that sound differently. There is a different dynamic in all their sound, an almost progressive and psychedelic approach. No, not a Floydian one, ok? They have guitar solos that sound quite cheerful. Wait… are they not on the depressive side of the globe? Maybe they are… The more you listen to this record, the more you are able to hear the different moments the band has crafted. Several emotions and stages of existence. Funny how their sound has these 2 opponent personas: sadness and joyfulness. Well, I can hear and feel moments of clarity and clear skies. But sadness does ...
Congruity “Inferno” (BoneSaw Entertainment, 2024) Before jumping to the most recent one, allow me to recommend their previous, a split with Hate Disposal, where the band offers a fantastic example of their experience and quality, and where I first heard the band. It took me a while, I know… November 2024, and Congruity comes forward with a new release: “Inferno”. This 6-track EP was released by BoneSaw Entertainment, and it shows the band taking their Death Metal to higher levels. Blasting production, no doubt about it. All crystal clear and clean. And what this does, is giving the music a lot more power and energy! And all done by the band. Kudos to you, gentlemen. I dare say they had more Black Metal elements in their Split with Hate Disposal, but maybe I am mistaken. Victor’s vocals are overwhelming! They take over the music, making themselves shown and heard! Overall, Congruity’s Death Metal is all an Old School Death Metal fan needs, and requires, from a Death M...
Beyond Helvete - “Anthem of Decay” (Immortal Frost Productions, 2022). Immortal Frost Productions has given us 2 tremendous Black Metal works this year: Corpus Christii and Pyra. Both different, but both within the realm of Black Metal (and Death Metal). This work, by Beyond Helvete, is the 3 rd IFP work I have access to, and we again drop into the universe of Black Metal. Slightly different from the already mentioned ones, but still ferocious and full of power. Beyond Helvete has been around since 2007, and Natrgaard, the man behind it, has been delivering the goods. Imagine the strength of a band like Marduk, that endurance, that consistent show of power… Beyond Helvete lives in a similar bubble, although not reaching the quality the Swedes have gathered throughout these many years of presence in the Black Metal Global scene. Nonetheless, it sounds as a good example to describe one of the facets of the German musician without limiting it to A or B. The track that names the alb...
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