Boarhammer are a German black metal band and this is their debut album.
II: Chemognosis – A Shortcut to Mushrooms contains 45 minutes, (with the bonus track), of old-school black metal. So old-school in fact, that it’s a blend of first and second wave influences, rather than the latter only. Boarhammer channel the spirits of Darkthrone, Venom, Celtic Frost, and Bathory, and they do so rather well.
These songs are charismatic and enjoyable from the very start. The music is dark and forbidding, but with a heavy metal flavour and a fun factor that you don’t typically find in the style these days. And for good reason, as it’s extremely hard to pull off. Boarhammer though seem to sup from the same creative waters that inspired Venom and Celtic Frost, allowing them greater freedom to explore metal’s diverse heritage than many other blackened acts allow themselves to. The end result is raw and rough, but with great character and personality, and the sort of songwriting that keeps you coming back for more.
Boarhammer serve up a feast of riotous heavy metal, doom darkness, psychedelic madness, and atavistic blackened aggression. Eat deep, as you never know when a meal such as this will come along again. The band know how to write a damn good tune, and this is a strong album throughout. The songs grab hold of you with an iron fist and don’t let go until they have rubbed your face in the strongest mushrooms that the forest they inhabit has to offer. Succulent riffs, occult atmosphere, ritualistic vocals, and distinctive melodies all conspire to create the sort of songs that are hideously good fun.
Boarhammer apparently have found the secret of producing music that captures the primitive beginnings black metal. This record is a product of the 80s more than any other era, and Boarhammer make the most of this direct line to the old-school throughout II: Chemognosis – A Shortcut to Mushrooms. What makes this record notable though is how good it is. Authentic influences and sound count for nothing if you can’t write a good song, but Boarhammer certainly have no issues in this department.
Very highly recommended for fans of new old black metal.
Wonderbox Metal 