Incendium
(Hellthrasher Productions)
40:49min
Greek outfit BURIAL HORDES was formed in 2001. Since then, they have been steadily releasing material with 4 demos, 3 splits, an EP and 2 albums. Just released in 2014, their latest (and third) full length "Incendium" came out on Hellthrasher Productions. And these guys are a perfect example of the high quality music that Greece has been known for in the last 3 decades. Upon first and second listens, they reminded me of their fellow countrymen NECROMANTIA, when it comes to creating dark and evoking atmospheres. Then, as some more spins went by, the sheer speed of a, say, early IMMORTAL, started breaking through as well. And one can’t deny the influence that BATHORY has had on a lot of bands with that marching rhythm that the former was so well known for. Production wise, their sound is raw enough to maintain that aura, but the instruments come in clear through the mix and surprisingly, the album is heavy; which is an aspect that 90s Black Metal totally forgot about, in my humble opinion. I really like the open, arpeggio style chords that mix so well with the fast riffs that Psychaos and N.E.C.R.O. come up with. Both of them trade bass duties and that may be the reason why the bass is a little buried into the mix. Behind the kit, Nuctemeron does an awesome job, with some odd drum patters for this kind of music. Now, the vocals really caught my attention. These are not the usual shrieks and high pitched screams. Cthonos dwells into the mid-low range with almost a Death Metal quality to them. BURIAL HORDES mix all these great influences to create their own blend of sonic aggression. The tremolo riffing, the slow, gloomy segments, the overall morbid aura. A song such as ‘Path Of Bloodshed’ is a great example of all things evil. With a band compromised of members and ex-members of such bands as: EMBRACE OF THORNS, DEAD CONGREGATION, ENSHADOWED and RAVENCULT, the end result fulfills all expectations! You can contact the band and get more info here: www.facebook.com/burialhordesofficial, www.hellthrasher.com
Alfonso Perez