This is the second album from Polish one-man black metal band Moonthoth.
Uroczysko treats us to 50 minutes of underground black metal. It’s old-school and traditional at heart, yet rich, layered, and adventurous in scope. It has a keen atmospheric edge, is bolstered by powerful symphonic elements, and is not afraid to walk its own path.
The music of Uroczysko is decently varied and well-written. The classic black metal influence is certainly heard in places, especially when a thick blackened groove tears out, but alongside this sit other influences that inform the music just as much. Alongside obvious references such as Khold and Gorgoroth, you can hear aspects of acts like Kanonenfieber, Behexen, Uada, The Ruins of Beverast, and Panzerfaust.
The songs are largely mid-paced, but not exclusively so. The focus is very much on impactful and considered songwriting, rather than sheer aggression, (or similar), just for the sake of it. Around the core of orthodox black metal the artist behind Moonthoth builds an range of different unorthodox structures for the songs. Atypical arrangements, dark dissonance, atmospheric symphonics and strings, piercing melodies, gruesome non-blackened riffs, folk elements, (particularly on closer Chram Chorsa), and subtle, nuanced playing all make for an engaging album that’s elevated above the standard. I really like the diversity of delivery on the album, and it flows well, introducing different and newer elements as the music unfolds. Uroczysko has a lot to offer the discerning black metal fan.
The vocals, provided my a guest vocalist, are harsh and raw. Primarily existing somewhere between a scream and a growl, these rough utterances firmly ground the music, no matter whether it’s going in for the kill or reaching for the sky with melodic splendour.
Moonthoth’s latest work is a great example of an artist pushing what true black metal is capable of.
Very highly recommended.
Wonderbox Metal 