This is the debut album from French avant-garde black metal band Eitrin.
And what do we have here, appearing out of nowhere in a cloud of poisonous fumes? We’re told the following – “The specially commissioned debut album from EITRIN brings together the talents of Vindsval (BLUT AUS NORD), Marion (MÜTTERLEIN) and Dehn Sora (THROANE) to celebrate 20 years of Debemur Morti Productions in fittingly defiant style.”
How intriguing! We’re also told – “EITRIN perfectly showcases where the label has been and is now headed, merging shadowed hues of underground extremity – including here Black Metal, Industrial, post-Punk, vicious Hardcore and Dark Ambient – into something vital: a contemporary monument to adversity overcome through catharsis, and the undying independence that typifies DMP.” Yes, definitely an interesting mix. So, enough of the lazy regurgitation of promo blurb, and let’s dive into the 37 minutes of idiosyncratic music that we’re unexpectedly treated to on Eitrin.
As suggested above, a range of ingredients have gone into this record. The result is essentially a version of Blut Aus Nord that presents a different facet of the artist behind that act, one that skilfully incorporates the other artists here into its sonic palette. Eitrin combines ambient depth with blackened intensity and avant-garde atmosphere.
The songs are menacing and inscrutable. The drums pulse with organic life, while the guitars swirl and churn with malevolent grace. The impression is of a collection of otherworldly predators, esoteric entities that prey on the unwary with rapturous malignant glee. The music draws you in to its Hellish maelstrom waters, daring you to try to survive its attentions.
The vocals are charismatic and engaging, recalling an old-school performance that unusually sits somewhere between hardcore, thrash, and first wave black metal. Having said that, the merciless delivery combined with parts of the music that have a hypnotic, atypical groove put to mind the mighty Godflesh too. Either way, it works. While I’m sure some will prefer a more traditionally blackened approach, I think this more individual style fits the non-standard music better.
Eitrin is a strong release. It’s a harbinger of darkness, and worth spending some quality time with.
Favourite Track: MUSCARINE – What Is Sacred. The music seems to ever-descend into further uncharted deeps, while offering a most emotive and affecting soundtrack to drowning in darkness.
Wonderbox Metal 