apocalyptic leaders released Macabre on January 15th. This album is 7 songs of dark, gritty Black Metal. The Greek one-man band has been busy, with 5 releases in 2020 alone. Macabre comes across as aggressive, but isn’t too harsh. All writing, playing, recording and production were completed by Kostas.B, the man behind the band.
Macabre opens with the title-track, “Macabre”. There is some good guitar layering on display. The almost symphonic playing blends well with the heavier riffs. The deeper guttural vocals are a welcomed addition to this dark opener. “The doors of hell” picks up the pace with a crushing rhythmic assault. It slows slightly to bring in some smooth lead guitar. Deeper gutturals for the verse give way to the screeching vocals black metal is known for. “The doors of hell” gets pretty big sounding for the guitar solo and close.
“Dead in the winter” has a very classic black metal sound and tone. There is some great guitar picking. The tempo changes are smooth and clean. It is lyrically as cold as the title would suggest. On “Salvation death”, the outright brutality picks up with ripping drums lashing forward. The synth soothes, but the rhythm keeps charging. The instrumental track is heavy, with some great guitar work. The synth of “Infinite black” gives a real atmospheric sound. The slower vocal delivery is full of malice, giving visions of evil and darkness.
“Obscurantism (Burned alive)” takes us to medieval rule and the plight of witches. It is a tale of one that is “punished” under the guise of religion and a death conviction of the innocent. All this is laid over blistering guitars and blasting drums. To close the album, “Insomniac people” has some of the creamiest guitar tone for the lead playing. The rhythm still has plenty of crunch and grit, but it isn’t of that iconic black metal sound. It is a good different and takes no discredit. It is an interesting song that bears little resemblance to the rest of the album.
Macabre is available now on streaming services and for download via Bandcamp. Void Wanderer Productions is carrying limited to 50 hand-numbered cassettes, and Road Rat Records has CDs. Get this album while it lasts! Links below:
