Albums of the year are special things. To hand that accolade to a Black Metal debut is something I didn’t think I would ever do. However, Godslastering Hymns of a Forelorn Peasantry was so damn good and hit just the right spots for me in 2021. There is a new album coming soon(ish) but Hulder have seen fit to record a mini LP in the meantime. I didn’t think people still made mini LP’s – I thought it was all E.P’s and singles these days. It takes me back to a bygone era, rummaging through the imports in Shades – London’s unholy church of hellish noise in the 80’s.
So here it is – the snack you can enjoy between album meals without ruining your appetite – The Eternal Fanfare.
I made a thing on my review last year of the album not starting with a folky intro and blasting straight in. Well maybe Hulder was feeling contrary when she wrote this 5-song collection. “Curse From Beyond” is as atmospheric and gently foreboding as it gets. Church bells, lilting choral voices – what is this? How am I ever gonna get these oranges squeezed?
Well, “Burden of Flesh and Bone” soon blows all sense of calm away like a satanic storm wind. Built around a triumphant galloping riff this is a rampant and expansive slice of Black Metal. It harks back to early Immortal whilst sounding bang up to date. The church organ interlude is fantastically eerie and the guitar solo that follows it is pure over the top 80’s speed metal. Quorthon would be proud. That solo comes courtesy of Phil Tougas of Worm, whose Foreverglade album was in my top 5 of 2021. My heart becomes even more filled with black joy when I find out this bit of trivia.
“Sylvan Awakening” has a Celtic feel to it as “Purgatation of Bodily Corruptions” did on the debut. It is here that I really notice the difference in production and sound from the debut album. The Eternal Fanfare has a much warmer bassier sound, with Hulder’s voice offering more gravitas whilst still maintaining the demonic harsh gruffness of the previous record. The use of dual vocals with Hulder sparring with herself – clean and gruff works effectively and adds some brilliant light to make the darkness even more black.
The title track has me rocking out in my chair typing this. The drumming is simply blistering at the beginning before segueing into a swing rock beat for some delicious groove. There are opportunities to make evil claw shapes throughout and I am fully convinced that Hulder is no flash in the pan.
The fifth and final track “A Perilous Journey” is an epic haunting track that feels like a sail into the sunset. I can see Hulder in my mindseye, stood at the prow of a ship sword in hand heading to an uncertain fate. If this is the appetiser the next album is sure to be a wonderful feast.
(9/10 Matt Mason)
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