ALBUM REVIEW: Xalpen – Wowk Otrr

Here I review the brand new, 2nd mini album from Chilean Black Metallers XALPEN, entitled “Wowk Otrr”, released today via Morbid Skull Records.

1. Intro kicks things off to a start with some very scenic sampling, setting a gorgeous atmosphere while only lasting very briefly. While there is certainly a limit as to how much I can write on a 22 second intro, it works really well for the album.
2. Kay’taw hawrr sho’on palakaw-msh -( A Cold Rain Under a Cloudless Sky ) brings in waves of very doomy Black Metal atmospherics with raw production, although perfectly audible and tailored to the music. The intense drums work beautifully while stunning, cascading guitar riffs and bass really fill in the grooves. Demonic vocals soon ensue really packing an evil and dismal punch. The songwriting is absolutely wonderful with a sort of spectral morbidity to the sounds used. The creepy laughter really adds a horrific vibe to the hectic assault of the song. An amazing start to the mini album!
3. Ten Hashpen – In Darkness Remains follows on nicely from where the last song left off with huge melancholy walls of noise hitting you abruptly, really gruelling growls and screams, insanely fast drums and a really high end static attack. The slower tempo sections work really gloriously in terms of adding to the drawn out sombre melodies of the track, this music is much less primal that it may seem from a distance, with tons of intricacies taking place such as the chants for example. This music is incredibly intense and should certainly be devoted your full attention rather than as a background jam kind of album. The bass tone really punches through the mix which immediately makes it stand out among many raw Black Metal bands that often let the sounds be somewhat lost. The track really culminates nicely as a rather lengthy (at over 7 minutes) piece of really full on, aggressive yet somewhat tranquility inducing Black Metal. The track actually has a very interesting crescendoing effect with it seeming to lull you into a false sense of relaxation then really bite you with the high speed ferocities. It even has a nicely shredded piece of guitar solo madness to it. Great work!
4. K’terrnenqár Shwaken – The Vengeance of K´térnen starts off with some pretty eerie sampling before lead guitar riffs swirl into fruition, absolutely epic riffs too. The song really comes into existence beautifully with chaotic drumming and full speed attack across all instruments allow for the bellowed and snarled vocals to completely decimate the listener. This is some really esoteric and unique music, I cannot seem to find many bands that sound exactly like this one which is great. The bass on this song really comes into its own gorgeously and there are even some parts that have a slight Punk feel to them (in the slower sections) which are followed up by some nice classic Black Metal sections, brutal growls and just so much full on and highly involved intricate riffing. In essence this song, especially for Black Metal, is pretty technical, something I really noticed due to the bassist not just following the root notes of the guitar chords. Excellent!
5. Xosh Kassek – Chant to Hosh once more opens with sampling, I have no idea what it is which in itself is unnerving, due to mankind’s dislike of the unknown, really well executed introduction. The more dismal music the follows up is really cool with some glorious lead work and whammy use. Each track on this album not only flows beautifully together but also sounds completely unique in its own right and original, none of them seeming to stick to one thing that stagnates. There are some very 80s guitar flourishes which I totally did not expect and a sort of funeral march vibe to the track. Honestly I am thoroughly impressed how many avenues this short release seems to be exploring in its concise time, really not wasting even a second of it. Incredible track, although at this point I am not surprised by its quality, more by its many new twists and turns found throughout.
6. Wowk Otrr – ( Oculus Australis ) has some really nerve-wracking chants to open things up, straight in with its horror movie vibe that really caught me off guard (Xalpen owes me 1 new coffee). This song is more ambient with hugely drawn out instrumentals, slowly pounded drums and really spooky vocals, it works nicely as an almost interlude, but still a certainly worthwhile piece of music in its own right. Epic stuff!
7. Sèyta – ( the Barn Owl ) / Outro( Piano Suite ) is the closing track, it does so with some beautiful piano playing that really stands out after this release that sounds like it was torn straight out of some demonic tome. A beautiful ending to a beastly album, excellent sense of contrast used and honestly there is a great feeling of closure to the release. Brilliant stuff, an incredibly well thought out and put together release with brilliant results!

If you are a fan of primitive production, huge riff atmospherics, blast beat drums and howled, tormented vocals (so something along the lines of bands like Sargeist), this is certainly for you. Absolutely gruelling and gripping with phenomenal songwriting! Certainly a greatly orchestrated and unique hidden gem in the vast underground of Black Metal! -8/10