The nihilistic force that is Burial Hordes has returned.
Hailing from Athens (Greece), And since forming in 2001 Burial Hordes have been carving their own sound. Blurring the line of punishing primal death metal with the atmospheric elements of black metal to create something destructive yet also beautiful.
Now their fifth album and first on Transcending Obscurity is about to unleash their best material yet.
Right from the opening note of the first track “In the Midst of a Vast Solitude” the shackles have been broken. Primordial blast beats & furious distortion-soaked guitars create this sense of punishment and unease. But at the two-minute mark, the track opens into an elegant, melancholic melody.
This merging of styles & total opposites works so perfectly for Burial Hordes. Whereas other bands go one way or the other, here both elements blend exquisitely & give the band a rich, layered sound that sets them apart.
“Perish” the third track is barbaric. One of the most punishing & abrasive songs from the band to take. Assault-like drumming fighting with chainsaw sounding guitars create this animalistic atmosphere that the band handles greatly.
Then just after the band have beaten you to death they open the track up into this classic black metal drum pattern & strumming section that gives the song an epic feel. A total counterbalance to what we heard at the start but yet again it works so well.
“Infinite Sea of Nothingness” is a shining example of where the band’s talent really lies. Mixing the apocalypse styles of Incantation with the sonic beauty of Bolzer & Wolves In The Throne Room, as a band Burial Hordes are a true force of nature. All individual parts of the band are already unmatched but coming together they create something so diverse. Helming the guitars & bass for the album T.K. (Dead Congregation) & D.D. (Enshadowed, Anticreation) are able to craft complex melodies & song structures while having such a bloodsoaked, raw guitar sound.
Adding to that is vocalist D.T. (ex-Ravencult) stellar vocal sound that fits both faces of the band’s overall sound. Without his vocal style, timber & projection I don’t think the band’s sound would work so well. Also giving huge respect to session drummer Eugene Ryabchenko (Fleshgod Apocalypse) for creating a great, organic drumming sound & performance to the album which gives it the backbone it needs to make the chaotic energy shine through.
Drawing the album to its close “…To the Threshold of Silence” feels like the perfect closer & best for last. A more slower doomy opening that slowly builds its intensity well. Before the last closing minutes bring back the suffering before fading out into oblivion.
When first hearing “Ruins” I was really taken back by it. The bands overall sound & talent on the album felt like a really refreshing take on blackened death metal. Merging all the elements i love of both subgenres to great this perfectly aligned, tight yet abrasive album.
Quickly revisiting their older material I can say that “Ruins” feels like the band’s best incarnation & strongest album to date. If you love the dark side of death metal the likes of Dead Congregation, Grave Miasma with the beautiful expansive elements of black metal then this album will show you something you never thought you wanted to hear but you will wish you did sooner!
Ruins is out via Transcending Obscurity Records on 9th June 2023
Track listing –
1. In the Midst of a Vast Solitude
2. Insubstantial
3. Perish view
4. A Wandering Stream of Wind
5. Infinite Sea of Nothingness
6. Isotropic Eradication
7. Purgation
8. …To the Threshold of Silence
Line up –
T.K. (Dead Congregation) – Guitars, Bass
D.D. (Enshadowed, Anticreation) – Guitars, Bass
D.T. (ex-Ravencult) – Vocals/Lyrics
Eugene Ryabchenko (Fleshgod Apocalypse) – Session Drums
Artwork by Khaos Diktator Design
Track listing –
1. In the Midst of a Vast Solitude
2. Insubstantial
3. Perish view
4. A Wandering Stream of Wind
5. Infinite Sea of Nothingness
6. Isotropic Eradication
7. Purgation
8. …To the Threshold of Silence
Official Video Stream #1
Official Video Stream #2
Official Transcending Obscurity Site
Transcending Obscurity Facebook