Stortregn have now affirmed themselves with a solid line up, post many changes in the ranks, and this blackened death mob are back with a vengeance. They were formed some 13 years ago in the crisp, Swiss air, and now return with their fourth opus, ‘Emptiness Fills The Void’, via non serviam records, and it is a monster

‘Through The Dark Gates’ opens up with an acoustic guitar doodle intro, before the power of the electrics engage, and they set out the blueprint for what’s to follow. Romain Negro bellows out at a blistering pace, and switches effortlessly between demonical evil screeches, and guttural dark growls, to create a ravaged aural assault.

‘Circular Infinity’ opens up at break neck speed, and would be something any decent thrash band would be proud of. Again, Negros’ vocals are powerful and violent throughout. The fretboard skills on show are immense and intricate in equal portions, and they all sit astride a backdrop of ultra-sonic blast beats and percussion.

‘The Chasm Of Eternity’ gives you some respite in the form of a stripped down, melancholic instrumental which wouldn’t go amiss as a backdrop to a smoke filled haze of a Dutch coffee shop.

Stortregn utilises a common recurring recipe for the remainder of the release, , opening up the tracks with a slowed down, stripped out, elegiac intro before the bipolar element of the mix rears its head, and the ferocity and vehemence rips straight to spine, before tearing it out with malice and malevolence akin of an 80s slasher movie.

The album overall has a clinical structure which is made up of more layers than a royal’s wedding cake, and it is dramatic, poetic, crushing and technical throughout. It covers a cross section of black and death metal, and punctuated with a sprinkling of thrash, and it’s all delivered in a refined blend, which would sit nicely in the collection of any self-respecting black metal aficionado

(8/10 Phil Pountney)

https://www.facebook.com/Stortregn

https://non-serviam-records.bandcamp.com/album/emptiness-fills-the-void