For some reason the Finnish black metal scene has always held something above other black metal scenes in other countries, I am not quite sure what it is that attracts me to the bands from the frosty country but one thing is for sure Grieve have that certain something like an enormous glacier. The duo comprising the act are undoubtedly known on the black metal circuit, being V-KhaoZ and Werwolf both of whom have been prolific within the Finnish black scene with numerous bands that they are part of or have been part of over the years. However as soon as this band has been put together it has been disbanded, which always seems to have been the intent as this debut and the bands final release sees the band fold and the members move onto pastures new or existing. Previously the band has released a four-track EP in 2020 that had two raw black metal songs plus a couple of untitled ambient pieces offering great contrast. The split with Morketida contained the two black metal tracks from the debut EP as here the band unveils this album, and I must admit I would like this collaboration between the two members to have continued.
Grieve possess that ability to deliver glacial frostbitten black metal of the highest order, their intrinsic stripped back tracks are what black metal used to sound like some 30 years ago but given a little polish on the production without losing any authenticity. ‘Lethal Wind Of Destruction’ kicks the album off and immediately the listener is pierced by its iced shard like riffing as the opener has a repetition I liked, it transfixes you as the blasted speed shows no signs of easing up. The utterly barbaric vocals possess that ear-splitting tone black metal requires with the screeches having an inhuman charisma. ‘Winter Of Torment’ follows and straight away that raw obliterating savagery has you pinned back, yet everything is tinged with catchiness even if it is very subtly executed. The vocals really get to you, their hostility and outright rancour make this album far more intense as the speed continues with ‘Possessed…’
Old school black metal fans are certain to pick this up and since this is a short-lived project, I am sure the releases will be extremely collectable in the future on whatever format as ‘Possessed…’ unfurls a more melodic side to the song writing without watering down the intensity. Stripping the flesh off your bones is ‘Nocturnal Cries’, its unfettered opening riff accompanied by a slow drum beat pierces the soul as the vocals unleash their own level of malicious spite. There will be comparisons made to Satanic Warmaster of course and to some degree Azaghal due to the rawness, but within the warlike misery this album inflicts is something that steps outside of acts such as those, be it the atmospherics or slower pacing the duo has incorporated within a song like ‘Nocturnal Cries’.
Returning to hyper speed is ‘Requiem Of Mankind’ a song with a relentless nature, its repeating drum work is highlighted by subtle cymbal work before the groove infestation of ‘Helvetin Valtaistuin’ with some similarities to acts like Carpathian Forest. It is extremely catchy on its initial sequence before the escalation in speed and vitriolic vocals are added. With riff deviations aplenty the song really hooks you in, it definitely did me, its riff has that addictive feel before the album closes with ‘Funeral Path’. With thunder and rainfall offering a clichéd opening it serves the song well as the guitar fades in smoothly producing a far more atmospheric track I especially liked it as it reminded me of those early borderline ambient songs black metal bands wrote. Indeed, the song is totally different to everything that preceded it offering a much calmer song that hints at a Burzum influence you’ll either agree with or not when you listen to the song.
A fine release by Grieve, one that fans of cvlt black metal are sure to appreciate as it cleverly adopts that old school template with its own ingenuity.
(8.5/10 Martin Harris)
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