As the end of the year is approaching most people are thinking about Christmas presents. But there are some who are contemplating about the ten best releases of the year. So just in case you are a Black Metal fan with space on your top ten list the current album by STREAMS OF BLOOD may be a suitable candidate. Despite what the name might suggest, the band from Germany has been creating pure Black Metal since 2009. With “Vermaledeit” the duo presents their fifth album, the title can be roughly translated as “cursed”. From my perspective, there are several aspects that make the eight songs a listening pleasure. Firstly, the approach of limiting oneself to the “pure doctrine”, meaning no keyboards, samples or obscure instruments like mouth harps, etc. The lyrics deal with classic themes of strong inner emotions, which originate in the lives of the artists. Or, in the band’s own words: “(…) change, loss and inner struggles have left their mark.” Thus the music is dense, direct and dedicated. “Vermaledeit” is a wall of sound, built on churning rhythm guitars, serpentine lead melodies, frenetic drumming and raw, emotive vocals. A monolithic slab of second wave Black Metal, brimming with an immersive, epic atmosphere that gives the music a feeling of both annihilation and empowerment. At first I found the playing time a bit too short, but now I think it is fine for such an energetic piece of music presented with such devotion. So, even if you’re stressed about Christmas presents, you should definitely check out www.facebook.com/streamsofficial or https://streamsofblood.bandcamp.com