ALBUM REVIEW: Havohej – Table Of Uncreation

Not only has Profanatica dropped a new record but now we are also getting new Havohej? 2019 has been insanely good for music, so without further delay let’s talk chaotically doomy Black Metal! Out on November 15th via Hells Headbangers.

Eerie ambient sounds open the album in a manner that is foreboding yet very stripped back, a reflection perhaps on what lies ahead. The crushing crawl of guttural vocals and crusty bass lines drown out any light with a simple drum line punctuating the monotonous groan of despair, this is unhinging at the very least. If you expect the feel of Profanatica to be present, it sort of is and isn’t. There is the disdainful and unpredictable nature that we are all familiar with but in a far more viciously droning package as opposed to a fast onslaught, really giving us two sides of the coin musically. The hammering “Holy Blood Holy Grail” gives a more aggressive approach which genuinely violates you with true blackened musical misanthropy. This is one of those releases which due to being entirely bass driven may initially be harder to grip than other records, however if you enjoy the more Funeral Doom meets Black Metal approach of Havohej this is a fine offering showing that a minimalistic approach can sometimes be far more unsettling than a whole bunch of blastbeats and tremolo riffs. While I generally prefer the latter, there is no arguing that this album successfully delivers a hideously disturbing thirty or so minutes of darkness that is utterly captivating from start to end. This kind of material is not the type where you just stick on a track (not that I really enjoy doing that personally), it is definitely a case of being ready to listen to the full thing or not bothering. I definitely suggest bothering to do though, especially if you enjoy Drone, Funeral Doom or crustier Black Metal and seek a rather unique experience. -7.5/10