This is the third album from US black metal band Oskoreien.
After enjoying both previous Oskoreien albums, it’s come as a surprise to discover that I never actually reviewed either of them. Hollow Fangs is a great opportunity to remedy this, and it’s Oskoreien’s first outing as a full band too. Hollow Fangs contains 39 minutes of new material, so let’s dive in.
In itself, this album’s existence is a surprise to me too. Oskoreien’s previous album – 2016’s All Too Human – came out almost a decade ago, and I just assumed we’d never get any new material from the artist. As such, Hollow Fangs is an unexpected treat.
Hollow Fangs can be described as a modern interpretation of the atmospheric and melodic black metal styles. Throw in an edge of dissonance in places, and you have five tracks that fuse their influences together well. The music uses aggression as its primary vehicle, using this to shape songs that are sharply mood-rich and impactful.
It’s a surprisingly multifaceted and colourful record – akin to its cover art – yet doesn’t miss out on the benefits of black metal’s icy touch. When listening to Oskoreien’s latest, I’m constantly put I mind of this duality of delivery – on the one hand the album is pitch black and covered in blackened ice, yet on the other it is bright with a fiery glow and seems to glitter with emotive diamonds as it rages through its running time. The guitars are cold and bleak, despite also evoking a vast, radiant tapestry for the listener to explore. Melancholic in nature, frosted with resplendent colour, and imbued with a burning indomitable heart, Hollow Fangs is an album that seems to contradict itself, but actually somehow doesn’t. In fact, it’s part of the reason I like it so much. It’s like ancient hardened second wave black metal and contemporary blackgaze fragility have collided, with both inexplicably emerging victorious, blazing with frozen potency.
Put simply, this is damn good black metal. It appeals to my love of both Darkthrone and Deafheaven, as well as bands like Aara and Mare Cognitum.
Very highly recommended. One to spend some time with.
Wonderbox Metal 