DARVAZA, a name that looms like a grim specter in the decaying landscape of Black Metal, has unleashed their debut full-length monstrosity, „Ascending Into Perdition“. This isn’t just another album; it’s a venomous declaration of intent, a plunge into the abyss that has been long overdue. For those who’ve dared to follow the trail of darkness laid by their previous EPs, this album is the blackened crown on a throne of despair.
It’s almost laughable to think this is their first album, considering the devastation they’ve already wrought with their earlier releases. But this is DARVAZA, where nothing is predictable, and nothing is sacred. With Omega at the helm—an infernal force known from BLUT AUS NORD, DEATHROW, and countless others—the instrumentation is a relentless barrage of hatred and nihilism. Wraath, whose voice has already summoned demons with BEHEXEN, MARE, and ONE TAIL, ONE HEAD, spews forth vocals that could strip the flesh from your bones.
The production on „Ascending Into Perdition“ is both suffocating and pristine, a perfect storm of clarity and rawness that only amplifies the album’s malevolent aura. This is not some overproduced, soulless drivel; this is black metal in its purest form—unforgiving, unrelenting, and utterly devoid of hope.
Musically, DARVAZA stays true to the spirit of their previous work but with a sharpened blade. The album is a chaotic yet calculated descent into madness, where moments of haunting melody give way to bursts of violent, primal fury. Tracks like „The Second Woe“ exemplify their mastery of minimalism, building an oppressive atmosphere that crushes the soul. The eerie choirs that seep into the track’s second half are nothing short of aural terror, dragging you deeper into the void.
„Ascending Into Perdition“ doesn’t just stand alongside DARVAZA’s earlier work—it eclipses it, casting an even darker shadow. This album is not for the faint of heart; it’s a ruthless assault on the senses, a testament to the true spirit of Black Metal. For those who seek only the darkest, most unholy sounds, this is your new gospel. Embrace the darkness, or be swallowed whole.
Label: Terratur Posessions / 2022