Review: Drevorod – Anthems of Soil and Stars

Review by Sandre the Giant

If there’s one thing that the Russian scene seems to be able to produce with an alarming frequency and quality, it is melancholic and atmospheric black metal. Drevorod are just that and their new record ‘Anthems of Soil and Stars’ is out now through Heidens Hart Records.

Opener ‘Sunrise’ is a twelve minute epic, sweeping tremolo riffs gliding above a bleak and windswept soundscape of cold and evocative darkness. Drawing much from the Drudkh/Nokturnal Mortum school of black metal, Drevorod also manage to slip in an obvious folk metal influence too. Much more Moonsorrow than Korpiklaani of course, but you can sense the traditionalism in the beautiful acoustic passages that pepper this record. I also like the little touches of, is it flute? I’m not sure, but it adds a certain old world feel to proceedings. There’s a certain post rock shimmer about some sections of guitar too, as well as plenty of the more traditional black metal stylings as well. ‘Soil’ is a masterpiece of songwriting; blending the finest elements of melancholic black metal, stirring folk melodies and a sense of the vast and the forgotten.

‘Anthems of Soil and Stars’ is more than just your average atmospheric black metal record though. It feels like it has a real heart, and an old soul carved from ancient Ural mountain rock, icy Russian rivers and the lonely countryside. When you have the rich vocal work of ‘Vesper’, or the sweeping majesty of ‘In the Depths of Night’, you cannot help but really FEEL something. Beautiful stuff.

https://www.heidenshart.com/

https://heidenshart.bandcamp.com/album/anthems-of-soil-and-stars

Review: Volc Vermaledide – Nietig

Review by Sandre the Giant

Dutch black metal/dungeon synthers Volc Vermaledide formed in 2001, and have ploughed a bleak dark furrow ever since, blending a necrotic core of black metal with synthesiser and other ambient works to create an intriguing combination. Their new record, ‘Nietig’, is out now through Heidens Hart Records.

‘Volc Vermaledide Part I: Severed’ immediately sets the scene for darkness and creepy dungeon synth black metal. Sounding like a 1980s horror movie soundtrack, a slow black metal drone buzzes behind a spacey soundscape and a croaking rasp. Utterly haunting and mesmerising, Volc Vermaledide walk the line of balance between these two elements well with the synth generally leading into each track. ‘Part II: Lost’ is very gloomy but very melodic, even throughout the Burzumic-like thrust of the main riffs. This contrast of the cold, bleak synth work and a fiery underbelly of black metal is intoxicating. ‘Part III: Omega’ feels more black metal focused, the synth work relegated to a supporting role that actually works just as well. The graceful organ appearances must be noted however as scene stealers.

‘We Shall Disappear’ is mournful, depressive black metal gloom but strangely uplifting towards the end, while closer ‘Skogens besvärjelse’ swells and fades with a threatening rumble. Volc Vermaledide’s work is at time simplistic but it conjures complex contradictions as it soars past us. Bleak but yet open and oddly uplifting, ‘Nietig’ is a hard piece to pin down. Music that feels this sad and lonely shouldn’t inspire such happiness. Magical

https://www.facebook.com/VolcVermaledide

https://volcvermaledide.bandcamp.com/

https://heidenshart.bandcamp.com/