Formed from a trio of Finland’s premiere Black Metal musicians, BYTHOS is here to deliver beauty and destruction in the form of their debut album. Set for release via Terratur Possessions on April 24th.
Dissonant and cold guitars chime in with an atmospheric and twisted soundscape amidst crashing waves of cymbal hits, setting a gorgeously malevolent mood for the record and snarling vocals begin to howl along with the convulsive rhythmic orchestration of the instrumental section. There is definitely a melodic approach to this music that is utilised in a more unhinged and disturbing manner more akin to the Icelandic Black Metal scene than the bands native Finland, truly an impeccably disdainful sound of pure malice and blasphemy. Ferociously skilful guitars and bass work in unison with the maniacally grisly vocals to conjure a permeating ambience of foreboding and aggressively emotive, hypnotic Black Metal excellence.
Throughout the record things twist and turn in otherworldly displays of cascading discordance and chaotically piercing assaults that are equally volatile and keep things tied together while retaining that unpredictably destructive flame at the heart of the music. With songwriting skills so unrelentingly and profoundly brilliant, as we should come to expect from the three members being involved in legendary bands such as Behexen and Horna, the proficiency of delivering such perversely obliterating and intricately magnificent Black Metal should come as little surprise. The execution however is rather shocking with a far more experimental and contemporary nature than many Finnish Black Metal bands, which certainly in itself makes for a very interesting listen.
Twisted and vicious melodic hooks and savagely executed grooves build together to concoct a monolith of atmospheric transcendence and hateful extremity, writhing in the cold, harsh soundscapes of the Finnish Black Metal movement while tying in the influence of bands like Svartidaudi and touches of Dissection to deliver a visceral yet soothingly cathartic sound. Burning with fury and delivering utter annihilation, this record is hideously fantastic. The chilling and unsettling delivery coupled with gorgeous track structures that all work in perfect harmony for a truly unforgettable listen is immensely well done. This is one of those releases that can definitely achieve a trance-like state in the listener, something of a legendary feat to achieve in only the highest quality Black Metal.
A unique tome of pure decimation and ritualistic, malevolent mysticism with some of the strongest musicianship to back up a wickedly hellish approach to Black Metal. Hauntingly dark and intricate, this album will certainly stay with you for a long time to come. -9/10
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