Häxanu/Greve – Naturmystik – Split (Review)

This is a split between black metal bands Häxanu, from the US, and Greve, from Sweden.

Häxanu open up the split, with four tracks that last 20 minutes in total. I was a big fan of 2023’s Totenpass, which is why I knew I wanted to check out this split when it appeared on my radar.

Mercy opens with a calm, mystical atmosphere, before the intensity of a rich blackened assault is unleashed. Rawer than Totenpass, the music feels more steeped in ancient black metal auras than ever before. The band have clearly been sharpening their dark arts. I’m instantly reminded of why I like Häxanu so much.

The second track – Untitled – is a short instrumental that brings to mind the freezing majesty of much 90s black metal. It might not last long, but it hits the spot. Following this is Saintly Surgery, a potent slice of melodic black metal that carries with it a very effective and immersive macabre atmosphere. This has to be one of my favourite songs here, as it comes with many intricate layers of dark melodic distortion to get lost in.

Häxanu’s side ends with The Winged Chalice. This track sounds paradoxically the most angry, yet restrained. The melodic power is channelled via a mood-rich approach, yet the vocals are at their most venomous and enraged. Nice.

Häxanu have done it again, and I continue to be a fan.

Greve are up next, with four tracks that last 24 minutes overall. Greve’s style of black metal is of the second wave symphonic variety, which they showcase to very good effect on opening cut Gudaföraktets Ton. I haven’t heard Greve before this, but I instantly like what they’re peddling. With little fanfare Gudaföraktets Ton explodes out of the gate with melodic weight and dark aggression. The vocals are savage, the symphonic elements well-incorporated, and the music ancient. What’s not to like?

They follow up with Urtida Folktro Kalla, which continues the style of its predecessor, only with more melancholic themes and an even richer atmosphere of darkness and infernal majesty.

The final full song is the eight-minute Myllan av det Förgångna, which is possibly the finest rendering of the band’s Sturm und Drang approach to black metal. This song rages with violent intensity, all draped in esoteric atmosphere and icy winds. Greve’s grandeur hits its apotheosis here, and when people sometimes compare black metal to classical music, this is what they’re talking about.

Closing the split with the brief outro Ur Nattdimmans Ljus, Greve have impressed.

I have thoroughly enjoyed Naturmystik. I already knew that Häxanu are a force to be reckoned with, but I’m happy with my new discovery of Greve. Here’s to more from both in the future.

Highly recommended for black metal adherents.