Portugal is definitely one of the strongest hotbeds for emotive and twisted Raw Black Metal, a fine example would be ARMNATT who now have a second album to offer. Out via Signal Rex on May 1st.
Some atmospheric crackling samples set our journey off in a rather pleasant manner with a sort of churning sound giving a more foreboding touch to the tranquil blaze. Stunningly raw guitars and ritualistic, almost tribal drums come to life with a monolith of bleak and eerie energies. A slow, monotone groove starting the onslaught with ferociously creepy vocals joining the vicious mix. The vocals and instruments howl in unison with a discordantly unnerving blend of Black Metal traditionalism that builds to riveting explosions of violence.
Hammering forth we are taken into some dark conjuration of morbidity with visceral riffs, convulsive drum pounding and snarling, demented vocals. All of these elements in this raw presentation of the macabre has an occultist and demonic vibrancy of otherworldly proportions that truly is decimating. Though tense and disturbed, the upbeat assaults we often see give a catchiness to the hellish concoctions of Armnatt, a savage and relentless blend indeed that reinforces the fact of Portugal having some of the most brilliant and masterfully malicious Raw Black Metal.
There is a feeling of some spiritual energies being unleashed on this record, perhaps things that should not be unleashed, though I am glad they were for this is some scathingly and blisteringly excellent material from the depths of hell. The balance of aggressive bite and melancholic tendencies is suitably sorrowful in a malignantly evil and bittersweet fashion that certainly adds to the twisted ferocity and accentuates the volatile despair on the record. A truly pungent and ritualistic combination of attacks on the senses.
This second album is not only a monstrously eerie and disturbing affair but a memorably wonderful piece of Portuguese Raw Black Metal depravity, yet another underground gem of their scene, waiting to be discovered by only the truest fans of the obscure Black Metal universe. Destructive, mournful and warped, this is some downright superb extremism of the musical variety. -8/10
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