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Band: Nephilim’s Howl
Album title: Through The Marrow Of Human Suffering
Release Date: 19 May 2017
Label: I, Voidhanger Records
Track List:
01. Void Reflections I - Remembrance
02. Of Ordeals And Triumph
03. Hate Revelations
04. Against The Worlds That Bind Us
05. Through The Marrow Of Human Suffering I, II & III
“When all the things we consider good and true
Were still asleep tight in the thought matter
And when the gods still watched and cheered
We did hunt and kill.”
The Finnish cold black/doom metal act Nephilim's Howl makes its debut with the album Through The Marrow Of Human Suffering released now through the label I, Voidhanger Records. The band with this original work is in my opinion one of the most creative in the first half of 2017. I'm saying this because although the base of their sound is kind of black/doom, it's boosted with a superb and tribal battery that in the time required, breaks the blaster.
Nephilim's Howl draws the traditional metal with shamanistic shades, and draws inspiration from bands like The Birthday Party and is featuring these dark and noisy soundscapes that are deeply embedded throughout the five tracks totaling approximately 40 minutes of pure mental immersion that sometimes can remind even to that typical black'n'roll similar to Darkthrone. Special attention is required for the stunning artwork presented by the talented photographer Maija Lahtinen. The theme of the lyrics is about existential contemplation expressed with intense imagination and the poetry it’s in a vivid and easy language that can be absorbed smoothly. Nephilim's Howl also means the trinity of beasts, men and gods, that expresses the very "heart" of themes explored by the band.
The music style of this debut album is heavy, cold, bleak and deep. Was difficult for me to categorize this style, it’s a kind of black/doom metal hybrid and as I said previously with a heavy and grinding atmosphere that is far away to be melancholic. Yet is very depressive due to the words that are spewed in your face through the lyrics and well placed by vocals.
The opening track "Void Reflections I - Remembrance" presents a difference that attracts me a lot, saxophones, which adds kind of slightly classical/jazzy and psychedelic feel to the song. "Of Ordeals And Triumph" worships the good heritage of black metal scene. It is strident, a balanced harsh, raw battle that is unleashed by a unusual gothic vocal style that in a way reminds me to almost forgotten Swiss band Alastis. These aspects are so different and not expected but they blend so good together that brings more creative originality to their work. One of the tracks chosen by me as a reason for worship due to the feelings that are awaken to me is "Hate Revelations". In a much more drowned style in death rock, dark punk and with gothic metal tones, it features relentless riffs that steal the scene, as well as the battery that honestly got me.
Vocalist Reavhan often literally howls like an animal in desperately cold and raw way. The fourth track "Against The Worlds" pushes us deeper into a dense, intense atmosphere of great psychological impact. The album then closes with the twelve-minute three-part track that goes through so many styles and feelings that only within this song, all the misery of humanity is imprinted.
In the first place this is music for fans of raw black metal with dirty rocking attitude, perhaps the added gothic elements may not please them so much, but without a doubt this album is a very well-crafted work. For those who like the dark side of humanity, with its moral and character deviations, it is and will be a work of great value. This is the kind of album that is not common to find due to its psychological depth lyrics. The cold and rough work, the combination of rhythms and unusual styles in a balanced way are combined in a very harmonious way. It is worth listening to this album that will not only bring pleasure to demanding ears as well as to minds who like a deeper and serious subject.
Review written by: Felin Frost
Rating: 8/10
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