EP REVIEW: Baxaxaxa – Devoted To Him

German Black Metal occultists BAXAXAXA return from the crypt with a new EP set for release via Iron Bonehead Productions on December 9th.

A might dive right into pulverising Black Metal rituals grasps without warning as a primal and dark energy fills their air with maddeningly old school sounds. No modern nuance to be detected, this funereal and eerie mysticism offers a haunting and spectral display of ambient and rich Black Metal that relies on a sinister vision of darkness rather than dissonance or speed. Grooving with the gloriously first wave mannerisms that are certainly not dead, Baxaxaxa conjure a demonic array of warped and ferocious barbarity with a simple but incredibly effective playing style that is layered to concoct a wall of deathly sounds that are inescapable and dangerous to those casual listeners who are clearly unwelcome. This is the savage type of Black Metal that strips the genre back to its roots before anything tainted it and calls to the devil with utmost proficiency and a profoundly morbid sound.

With a sporadic release schedule to say the least, it is clear Baxaxaxa do not conform or obey any regime or fanbase but create their demonic sounds only when the calling is there. Following their recent demo, this EP has that same magical and evil feeling at the heart while showing refinement, chiselling down to 10 minutes of incredible intensity and mystical excellence with no lack of atmosphere nor malice. This is a fine example of Black Metal not needing speed to be harsh, this dragging slab of concrete riffs, bombing drums and eerie vocals with subtle synths underlining certain passages has infinitely more macabre vibes and unnerving energies than any amount of high-speed nonsense could ascertain. The reason for this is the sincerity and intent of this music is absolute. With music being a vessel for a grander design, Baxaxaxa utilise their primal and ancient Black Metal to conjure demonic apparitions with inarguable effectiveness. The origins of Black Metal are clearly not lose with tradition and might being conveyed more sincerely here in 2 songs than many modern records put together.

A majestic EP of pure Satanic might with ferociously old school Black Metal howling with the blackened flame many would think may be killed by modern intrusions. Thankfully Baxaxaxa among a select few keep this sincere and daunting mystique firmly alive. An unmissable slice of destruction. -8.5/10