Let me set the scene….It was late at night in Yorkshire, the atmosphere was dense with impenetrable fog, and I was sat alone in front of a fire pit surrounded by dancing shadows cast by the flickering flames. I put my headphones on and pressed play on “Of Atavistic Fury & Visions” not really knowing what to expect. From the outset, I was completely mesmerised by the five track EP and made no attempt to write any notes or review on that first listen, content to soak it up. I have revisited the EP several times since and my opinion hasn’t changed, so although the setting for my first listen was perfect and no doubt added to the experience, it didn’t mislead me.

The opening track ‘Dark Spiritual Devotion’ is ferocious from the outset with blast beats, scathing riffs and vitriolic vocals. A haunting melody sits subtly in the background, but hooks you in as the maelstrom unfolds.

There is a slightly more measured pace to ‘Hexenpyre’ which creating a sinister atmosphere which continues on ‘The Sacred Hour Of The Hunt’. As the EP unfolds, it reveals itself with moments of beauty within its melody and structure augmenting the more direct aural assault.

The aggression increases again on ‘Where No Man Has Trodden’ and as the track rages it creates a desolate, cold atmosphere. The pace subsides mid track but the bleakness remains. ‘Surtr’s Breath’ closes the EP, an obvious nod back to Scandinavian mythology and the poetic Edda. In fact the album labels itself as atavistic which is fitting as it is woven with heathen themes and mythology as well as devotion to the dark.

This is the debut EP from the Finnish duo, and is very impressive. It is an accomplished piece work, surpassing many of their peers. It achieves the perfect balance between caustic black metal and accessibility. It is dense, pugnacious, bleak, hostile and yet is exquisitely structured with haunting melodies racing along in the background, almost imperceivable as they hook you in. Sarvekas have a big future ahead of them.

(9/10 Andy Pountney)

https://www.facebook.com/sarvekas

https://soulsellerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/of-atavistic-fury-visions