Polish black metal band Death Like Mass feels like the obscure and enigmatic entity that draws you in with its authenticity and depth, alluring you into its own cult, hidden in the dark halls of a cold cave, far away from the human eye.
“The Lord of Flies” – the band’s debut album, consisting of eight tracks with a total duration of approximately 44 minutes, is due to be released on October 4th via the mighty Terratur Possessions, and is an expressive and obsessive work, in which contrasts are particularly fascinating.
Fast technical drums that sound almost like AK-47 shots are spread throughout the opening track “Wygnaniec” (M.’s work is strongly emphasized throughout the whole album) and shortly after theatrical and ominous vocals appear with their union soon joined by flashing guitar solos, as in the very finale we are also treated to an ethereal dose of gothic dark wave clean vocals, which float around the space in complete contrast to what we have heard in the previous few minutes. This isn’t just another ‘old school’ album devoid of any desire for modernism, but something that builds on that credo and is yet to find its way into the scene in my opinion.
The sense of symbiosis between something new and something old – like some kind of déjà vu, also carries over into the later parts of the album, bringing a specific sense of urgency and delivering with an iron sweep a vicious, tense atmosphere, pushing towards deeper listening and complete immersion in the music. The album’s moods wander between bleak darkness, manic theatrics and expressions of primal despair, fast ominous attacks and a delightful dark ritualistic occult feeling.
Particularly memorable is the track “The Killing of Abel”, where the riffs scrape the air with their sharpness and rhythm. It is in this song that you will also hear one of the most unique emotional explosions of Left Hand Trip, which instantly makes you fall in place and merge with the music. After that, we are taken directly to the finale “Krocz Ze Mną, Ojcze” (“Walk with me, father”), which brings the album to a remarkable end with its expressive vocals, multi-layered tempo-varying instrumentals and grandiose atmosphere.
Passing in the blink of an eye due to the engaging songwriting and excellent performance, “The Lord of Flies” carries a pure and ominous energy hinted at in the cover art itself. Uncompromising, raw, vulturous and bloodthirsty, the album doesn’t bend the knee to current trends and wraps your ears in a powerful grip of original and compelling black metal – one that might make your skin crawl.
“The Lord of Flies” will be released on October 4th this year, with pre-orders now open at https://van-records.com.
Mother of THE VOID.
Underground music is the ultimate weapon against mediocrity.
