Perfect triplet of unconnected words making up the title of this debut EP from Swede deathsters Ensnared but it gives you a clue what to expect; hunger suffering and the cold light of day. Having previously been active as Gravehammer between 2005-10 this lot changed their name and released a self-titled demo in 2011. With members also in Nuclear Winter band Trials a deal was no doubt helped on its way, forged in blood and now we get a first proper taste of songs from the band.
‘Adorations’ powerfully hones in with punishing drums, scything guitars and hoary vocals gruffly gurgling away. Everything is at battle and the mission is clearly a destructive one, this is what the band obviously adore and they do it without mercy. Building to a neck cracking velocity and literally galloping away on the back of an elongated cry things suddenly slow and guitar textures take on a fluid Swedish melody. Now things have changed as we are in almost a black metal dynamic that cites the likes of Dissection, Lord Belial etc about it. This is what pretty much won me over here as the music proves far from one dimensional and has enraptured with a cold dark atmosphere adrift from the otherwise surging brutality. ‘With Roots Below’ seamlessly segues in and bluntly smashes fist down with a barbaric feudal vibe bristling with ferocity but and a mighty fervour. The melody is still strong though and you can equally wreck neck and play guitar along with the powerful cold riff heavy segment which the song flows into. Not sure of the meaning behind ‘Kimiya Ye Al Molekhat’ be it Lovecraftian, Mesopotamian, Klingon or pure bollocks but judging by the song it could well be a curse as it’s all spat out in a whirling destructive mass like being caught up in a sandstorm. ‘The Hungry Darkness Of Death’ is not only a song-title missed by Watain but a number that proves ultimately that the band can intersperse atmospheric brooding parts with passages of pure unadulterated violence and make them flirt with each other skilfully over the numbers almost 10 minute running time. Thrashing blackly away and moving into sinuous horrific soundtrack etched parts complete with sudden clang of a bell this is powerful stuff.
Essentially those four tracks finish off this but the barrage is not over as things are fleshed out with two earlier aforementioned demo tracks which are much less subtle and more back to the roots of death metal in their primitive bludgeoning feel, clearly indicating how far the band have come. From this two things are clear, this lot must be well worth witnessing live and when they get around to a full album it is going to be well worth checking out.
(7.5 Pete Woods)
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