In Belarusian, the word ‘Ciemra’ simply means Darkness. An apt name for this relatively new Black Metal band from Minsk whose debut album will be released later this month on CD and LP by Avantgarde Music.

Darkness is very much the central theme of Ciemra’s work, through their lyrical output and into the bleak, compelling tones of their music. Opening track ‘Ciemra’ explores a slower, menacing side to the bands style, with the guitar leads given room to be expansive before a more aggressive style kicks in through marauding drum beats and razors edge riffs. The vocals are also very layered, with the focus on more orthodox rasping Black Metal fare mixed with some whispering and chant like back up.

There are some definitive progressive elements to this album which sits rather well with me, being from a Progressive Rock upbringing. Rather than an all-out assault of bludgeoning Black Metal, Ciemra have created something that is very well thought out, which in turn makes the album all the more thought provoking. Not scared to unleash their melodic side, ‘The Tread of Darkness’ has its whimsical spots, yet as the powerful and dominating flow of ‘Four Riders’ proves, this is not a band to be complacent about. When Ciemra picks up the intensity through sturdy, methodical drumming and savage riffs, there is more than a touch of Marduk about their sound.

That high level of thought and detail that goes into every inch of this album’s sound can also be seen in the imagery the band use, from the four horsemen inspired artwork to the band’s own image. Ciemra and ‘The Tread of Darkness’ is certainly the complete package and their LP will soon be gracing my collection. Highly recommended.

(8/10 Marksson)

https://www.facebook.com/ciemra

https://avantgardemusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-tread-of-darkness