Wojna / Whorethorn

Split CD

Grim Being Records 2009

Another double dose CD but this one is of primitive UK black metal from deathly beings, Wojna and atmospheric underlords Whorethorn.  I will approach each bands' contributions individual as I am want to do with split releases.

Up first is the incantations of Wojna who black metal is very deathly in its chunky power though there are ethereal moments of tranquil clarity within the subterranean morbidity.  Such is the case with their first track, Barbed Ink Drop Weir which is a cryptic uttering of primitive repetitive clawing that breaks into a calm moment of introspection, uniting ugliness and beauty for a haunting effect.  Stars of Slumber is a beastly take on monotonous, hypnotizing black metal somewhat like death metal version of Transilvanian Hunger.  Mutilate (taken from their album Long Awaited Silence) has a different feel altogether as it is more black n roll in style with a bouncier main riff and a rock n roll lead over the top.  Their material ends with We Are the Ubermenschen (live rehearsal) which though it may sound strange, has a main riff that brings to mind the Accused's splatter rock style.  Shadow's vocals are distant and raspy with contributes to the graveyard atmosphere of Wojna's material.  Wojna is nothing spectacular, just solid, meaty and raw black metal with earthy death metal edges.

Whorethorn is up next and their approach is nearly a 180 degree turn from Wojna as the music is fuzzed out and trebly black metal that bears striking echoes of Burzum's hypnotic foggy style.  Born Again to Transcend is noisy, midtempo black metal with screechy vocals and a suffocatingly forlorn atmosphere.  Simplistic yet evocative notes shimmer out of the dense mist at the song's center before gaining steam as drums and vocals rise up to join this slow procession.  Raw and repetitive are two words that perfectly describe their next composition F.Y.G.  Malphas' vocals are screechy and grating to an extreme on this track.  Picking up the pace and racing towards blasting proportions with windy, fuzzed-out riffs that pay homage to VON and the Nordic dissonance at the same time.  The Awakening of Vulfarru is a triumphantly suffocating track that dwells in gloom and an overall sorrowful atmosphere.  If you pay attention you will hear a rocking beat throughout the heart of Whorethorn's material.  Whorethorn is perhaps a tad too raw though this is a somewhat natural state for their style and overall mood. 

Wojna and Whorethorn are living in the spirit of the primitive underground with a demo sound and a raw aesthetic.  Black metal boiled down to its purest essences and its blackest bile.