UK Black Metallers ANDRACCA are back with a new EP of scathing material. Out soon via Wulfhere Productions.
Bleak riffs gloriously drive in with pounding drums and a howl, grooving with the same essence of early Norwegian and Swedish Black Metal from the 90s. A primal approach to the songwriting oozes with a minimalistic atmosphere that is as abrasively cold as it is raw and cathartic. Hammering blastbeats and scathing riffs continue to churn forth an impenetrable darkness with no need for progression or experimentation, just pure blitzkrieg instrumentation with warped vocals to further the disdainful onslaught.
Amidst the grooves and hellfire, there are some gorgeously melancholic touches that bring in some influence from Finnish and German Black Metal, adding a relative diversity to the primal carnage. What may be slightly lacking in originality is made up for by the mayhem-conjuring, passionate destructive assault that unravels. The musicianship is excellent but never obtrusive or showy, the production is equally humble with a raw yet clear display of gruellingly dark soundscapes. Truly a marvellous sound.
Having reviewed their album for Legions Ov Darkness issue #1, I am familiar with this band. On the EP we see a much more stripped back approach to the music that serves a more ritualistic purpose of delivering darkness in a much more straightforward manner. Not lacking nuance, we still see the dynamic skills of Andracca harnessed, just in a more old school fashion. Punctual grooves break through the blasting obliteration to grant headbangers some fuel, while the overall atmosphere harkens back to Darkthrone, Gorgoroth and other second wave legends. This is certainly going to satisfy the cravings of fans who wish to see this era preserved.
Once more we see some fantastic material from England, drawing a blend of inspiration from European Black Metal (primarily from Sweden and Norway) that is bleak, cold and yet ravenously aggressive with plenty of emotion. Primitive, savage and relentless, Andracca’s latest offering is certainly a worthwhile addition to the storm of UKBM that is rapidly gaining momentum. -8/10
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