Italian black/death metal band PYRA lit their pyre two years ago
with their debut self-titled record, which left many people, myself
included, wondering where PYRA have been ‘hiding’ until now
and who was behind the band members’ aliases.
The answer, of course, would hardly surprise anyone – behind the
band you can find experienced musicians from the Italian
underground, previously working in a number of other bands in
various genres. The death metal influence in PYRA’s work is by no
means accidental, and anyone who is aware of Italian metal would
probably immediately recognize who is behind each element,
especially the vocals. Apart from L. and I., who are in themselves
a huge surprise due to their relatively new amploa, in their debut,
Omega (Darvaza, Nubivagant & Fides Inversa) is behind the drums as
a session musician.
Together, with their first record PYRA demonstrated raw and brutal
black metal, with overt death metal elements in both instrumental
and vocal performances. Where there are fast drums and fast
guitars, you can hear equally compelling low growls, cryptic
atmospheres and tempos that are more reminiscent of death metal.
Also, the bass was in focus, leaving an additional aftertaste to
the recording. I still remember some of the riffs in ‘Pyra’, which
definitely means the debut was fire.
So, does all of the said above apply to the band’s debut
full-length album “Those Who Dwell in the Fire”?
Yes. And no…
Again, the sound of burning fire and crackling sticks greets us in
“Cacus” – the first track of the album, and already in the first
minute of the song there is a significant increase in the black
metal atmosphere with captivating harsh cold guitars, which was the
missing piece on the debut EP recording. A fierce riff wafts into
the atmosphere, soon met by the powerful drums of the full-fledged
drummer E. (Darvaza’s live drummer) and the traditional bestial
growls of L., which in this first track seem to me even
deeper and more obsessive than before. With a sound much closer to
black metal, and with beautiful bridges between the different parts
of the song, it’s clear even here that the band worked hard to
reinforce the ideas already conceived on their debut mini
album.
The same fast and uncompromising aggressive energy carries over
into the album’s next track, ‘Summit of Existence’. Bold and
intense walls of tight freezing guitars, ferocious bass
undertones and amazing drums, which together create an
all-consuming black metal atmosphere, reminding me the
energy of the cult Nidrosian black metal scene. At the end of
the piece there is also a moment with a very beautiful drum solo,
which brings to the fore the full potential of the band – E. is a
sick drummer and to let him under the spotlight to showcase his
abilities felt really good – all instruments are complemented in
one way or another, and this is pleasant for the ear, without
a doubt.
Recorded as if in one inseparable whole and during one session, the
album flows from one song to another quite imperceptibly, and if
you don’t follow the tracks themselves, the record passes quite
imperceptibly through the mind, leaving the highlights to resonate
in the air.
Delving into the theme of primordial purity and the arcane cosmic
laws, the cycle of nature , the inevitability of the end of all
existence and its ephemeral core, “Those Who Dwell in the Fire” is
an uncompromising and inspiring black metal opus with bottomless
vocals, as if emerging from an immeasurable forgotten crypt…
confidently and powerfully alluring into inner purification and
retrospection. The fire of PYRA flares up, ready to rage with its
tongue of fire, leaving the charred dust of humanity among the
smoldering remains… Are you ready to burn?
You can hear some of the tracks below:
Album: „Those Who Dwell in the Fire“
Band: PYRA
Release Date: February 23rd, 2024
Label: Immortal Frost Productions
Pre-oder : http://lnk.to/TWDITF

Mother of THE VOID.
Underground music is the ultimate weapon against mediocrity.