Hailing from the depths of the Australian black metal is Krvna. Solo artist Krvna Vatra’s vision is as varied and extreme as the releases that have begun from 2021. From ‘’Long Forgotten Relic’’ to the full-length masterpieces of ‘’Sempinfernus’’ and ‘’For Thine is the Kingdom of the Flesh’’ they are hallmarks of black metal. Unique and utterly uncompromising in their own right. The new release ‘’The Rythmus of Death Eternal’’ continues that commitment and intensity.
The three new tracks are lengthy explorations of extreme darkness and the damnation of religious conventions. For their length ‘’ Endless Monument’’ moves with an ease and intensity that makes it feel half that length. The arrangements and incredible guitar work are there, yet it is slightly rawer, more visceral, and immediate, the finely crafted melodies linger long after the feedback has ended.
‘’ A God’s Work’’ takes the temperament to new levels yet delivers it at a slower pace that is more demanding, merciless, and accusatory. The riff and slower sections are so malevolently inflamed that they add yet another component to a diverse artist who is gloriously unafraid to deliver the requirement of the song rather than sticking to convention. ‘’ What Great Lengths’’ is simply more black metal majesty nimble in execution yet capable of causing blunt force trauma.
As an added bonus Abigor is represented with a version of’’ As Astral Images Darken Reality’’ but it is the Bathory cover ‘’Man Of Iron’’ that gets a thorough working over. The Viking-era track is given its most extreme interpretation yet but also retains some of the cleaner moments and multilayered vocals to deliver something new and ultimately unique.
‘’ The Rythmus of Death Eternal’’ is another excellent moment in a rapidly diverse presentation of black metal art that is unbound by its freedom and total commitment to the ethos of evolution. At times elegant whilst being ugly, subtle, yet not so it stands as a superb accomplishment.
Krvna: Facebook
Release Year: 2024
Label: Zazen Sounds
Category: EP
Country: Australia
Reviewed by Sparky
