With their inception coming during the Pandemic years, Melbourne, Australia based Blackened Death Metal band Black Lava have unleashed their new album ‘Soul Furnace’, complete with stunning artwork.
In my opinion, the phrase ‘Soul Furnace’ instantly creates an image in the mind that is far more horrific than any religious zealot’s idea of Hell. This thought is backed up by the rigid, almost mechanical way in which Black Lava builds momentum into this album. Rising steadily and with great precision, Black Lava finally unleash the beast with ‘Aurora’ which has a deeply intense groove drenched flow that carries with it an almost Progressive Rock undertone beneath their heaviness.
Black Lava pick up the pace still further with the ravenous tones of ‘Black Blizzard’ whose powerful vocal work mixes with more feral, menacing tones whilst the band’s demonic sounding guitar leads rush forth, plunging into their own darkness and followed by the pounding of both bass and drum tones.
I really like the song writing on this album, whose ebb and flow are intoxicating and engaging throughout. They temper their blistering intensive heaviness with bouts of supreme harrowing melody and they do both extremely well. ‘Soul Furnace’ is a fine album that is over all too soon.
(8/10 Marksson)
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