_edited.jpg)
Emerging from the industrial depths of Manchester comes the no-nonsense black metal band Burial, who are known for their unflinching embrace of the raw, frostbitten sound that defined the second wave of black metal, Burial have honed their craft into a force of atmospheric malevolence, and now they return with their latest offering ‘Rejoice In Sin’, a record that will plunge the listener into the heart of darkness. With this new album, they explore themes of blasphemy, inner torment and the goat worshipping origins of the black metal subgenre as we take this descent into the icy void together.
We kick off with their title track ‘Rejoice In Sin’ with its immediately punchy riffs and vocals courtesy of lead vocalist Derek Carley that cut through the mix like a blade through fog. The track blends icy melodies with dark and atmospheric riffs perfectly, and is very reminiscent of black metal icons Darkthrone, evoking the spirit of the early 90s black metal scene incredibly effectively. Not losing stride, we are immediately thrown into the next track ‘Wretched Is This Life’, which keeps the punchy fast paced vibe but with grittier, doomier riffs, and a relentless barrage of blast beats that wouldn't offer a moment of reprieve, even if you did want it.
As we make our way deeper into this cold and desolate land Burial have crafted for us, we reach the halfway mark with ‘The Wolfskin’, a brutal wall of sound where riffs delve deep into the raw, savage and aggressive tones that many black metal fans know and love, and bring to mind Immortal and their grim and frostbitten sound. ‘Let Darkness Reign’ ushers in the second half of the record and is easily one of the standout tracks on the entire album. The blend of fast-paced and majestic instrumentals, paired with a vocal delivery that sounds like an anguished cry from the abyss, makes this a true no-nonsense track and lets the listener know they aren’t letting up in this second half.
‘Putrid Grave’ is another standout title taking a slight departure from the atmospheric and gritty tone the album had initially offered us, to deliver a crunchy punk and black metal hybrid resulting in a relentless yet melodic assault on the senses that leaves you hungry for more. We close the album with ‘Black Metal Cunt’, a short but effective closing track that pulls no punches, making sure it cements itself in your memory just as much as any previous track and pays homage to the genre’s roots, while also having a slightly absurd and joking charm to it lyrically. As the final riff fades leaves the listener feeling as if they have traversed many different aspects of the genre, with each track offering something new.
‘Rejoice in Sin’ stands out as a powerful statement from Burial, showcasing their ability to channel black metal’s raw, icy essence while not being afraid to push their interpretation of the genre forward. The blend of chilling atmosphere and relentless aggression offers a certain authenticity you would only previously hear during the 90s with the second wave of black metal bands who emerged throughout the generation, blending the chaos of blast beats with haunting frostbitten passages that linger with you long after the final track fades. For fans of the genre, this album offers an homage to black metal legends and its grim roots while adding Burials fresh and sinister vision, and carries the torch for the genre without compromising the bands own musical vision and originality.
‘Rejoice In Sin’ will be released on November 1st via Apocalyptic Witchcraft.
Words: Arcadia Craven
Photo: Rock The Lense
Comentários