In the famous book “Moby Dick” in chapter 93 the cabin boy Pip falls overboard and drifts in the endless ocean before he is rescued. The chapter is more frightening than many sermons about demons and corpsepainted figures in the forest at night, although of course they have their right to exist. Since the beginning of time the oceans and the sea have always been a constant in human existence, so it is not surprising that Black Metal bands focus on maritime aspects. SKARDUS from Germany are one of these bands. Two years after their debut full-length “Stormriek” they are now back with “Ut De Deep”, a four track EP. And luckily the trio from northern Germany continues where they left off. Second-wave Black Metal which emphasizes on tremolo-picked guitar riffs plus repetitive, minimalist song structures that build hypnotic tension and raw, high-pitched shrieked vocals that blend into the music as an abrasive, unsettling texture. Similar to the ebb and flow, there are always slower or more epic moments. The lyrics, completely in Low German, are adapted to the fall of the town of Rungholt in the so-called “Groten Mandrenke” in 1362. A bit more harsh than on “Stormriek” the sound is coming from the speakers, but it fits perfectly. I guess anyone annoyed by todays so-called modern productions will like this mini album just for the sound. But the absolute highlight are the briefly interspersed spoken words, which ring just as ominously in the overall concept as chapter 93 does in “Moby Dick”. Before I clamber to the highest lookout and cast my searching eyes upon the wide horizon for the next whale some last information. “Ut De Deep” is both released digital and as tape, limited to 100 copies, release date January 2026. All necessary information can be found here: https://skardus.bandcamp.com