Harakiri for the Sky – Scorched Earth (Review)

This is the sixth album from Austrian post-black metallers Harakiri for the Sky.

Harakiri for the Sky always seem to deliver albums that are lengthy, but rewarding. 2016’s III: Trauma, 2018’s Arson, and 2021’s Mӕre were all notable records in this regard. Now, with the arrival of Scorched Earth, have Harakiri for the Sky continued this trend of quality album releases?

The simple and short answer, is yes.

Scorched Earth contains 67 minutes, (including a Radiohead cover), of Harakiri for the Sky’s trademark brand of melancholic post-black metal. The band are very accomplished at their artistic endeavours at this stage in their career, but that doesn’t mean they are lacking in passion; this is music that is awash with emotive qualities. Scorched Earth is driven by emotion, and Harakiri for the Sky put everything they have into these songs.

Musically this manifests as a sophisticated and professional brand of post-black metal. Scorched Earth is well-written and presented, delivering heartfelt songs that are full of pain, loss, and despair. These are deeply felt, but there’s hope here also. The darkness that sits at the core of the music is expressed as a form of sonic poetry, resulting in music that’s bright with post-blackened colour. These are songs that have beauty and resplendence to them, despite the emotions being portrayed. Scorched Earth reflects this by exploring a range of textures and atmospheres across its running time, from post-rock introspection to raging blackened fury.

The songs burn with feeling, while fiery melodies and blistering drums tear out of the speakers. The melodic parts are as notable as they ever are, but the drums I’ve enjoyed more than on previous material this time around. They underpin and accentuate the melodic highlights well, and blast with the best of them when needed too. The harsh vocals are as distinctive as they always are, yelling and screaming with impassioned force. On occasion guest vocalists appear, (Austere, Groza, Svalbard), but Harakiri for the Sky have a potent singer of their own who naturally takes the starring role. Well, co-starring role I suppose, as the melodies are equally as important to the success of the music.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Scorched Earth is a very complete album, with each song sounding like a world unto itself. It has a specific flavour throughout; Harakiri for the Sky have a well-developed framework, but within this they have differentiated their songs with graceful skill. The artists behind this band know their work well, and Scorched Earth is a particularly potent example of their output.

For fans of post-black metal this is an essential listen.