VORKUTA

One of the things I like most about "Into the Chasms of Lunacy" by Hungary's VORKUTA is the sound. It is raw, yet not lo-fi, and the instrument separation is right where it needs to be. Atmosphere cannot be discounted in assessing the merits of a black metal album, especially one that recalls originators like BATHORY and the underground black metal croaks and buzzes of bands like BURZUM and old school DARKTHRONE. I tend not to be surprised these days though when a black or death metal band from Eastern Europe lights my fire; it is a common occurrence, whatever the reason.

Musically, "Into the Chasms of Lunacy" mixes traditional, yet somewhat eclectic, old school black metal and ambient synth/keyboard pieces, and collectively it works. After the two-minute keyboard-guitar instrumental introduction, "Warriors of Past" comes what may be the album's strongest track, "Gargoyle". Beginning appropriately enough with the sound of rain and thunder crashing, the song goes from a steady beat with atmospheric keyboards and Blizzard's sickening croak vocals (which are used sparingly throughout),then picks up speed and moves into the gnarly, buzzing territory inhabited at various points by the above-mentioned masters. Like all of the non-ambient pieces, the bass lines are distinct and clear, and on this particular track strange and creepy; here again, the mix reminds to some degree of BATHORY (though much clearer),particularly because of those separate/distinct guitar and bass parts. "My Flaming Soul" comes close to matching its predecessor, this time featuring a very Norwegian black metal approach, led by a rockin' DARKTHRONE section, the cool bass lines and buzz riffing once again guaranteed to float your boat. Both "Stardust" and "Within the Fortress of Melancholia" are instrumental keyboard pieces that work as far more than filler or needless messing about. The dark melodies and strange effects fit snugly with the rest of the material. The title track utilizes both of the album's primary musical components, the eight-and-a-half minute tune comprised of speeding savagery, funeral march cadences, and light/dreamy keyboard/electronic fare.

On "Into the Chasms of Lunacy", VORKUTA pays tribute to its influences without ending up a loosely constructed collection of poor man's versions. It is an album that is both chilling and primal. The next full-length could be a monster.