Unverkalt – Héréditaire (Review)

This is the third album from Greek post-metal band Unverkalt.

2023’s A Lump of Death: A Chaos of Dead Lovers was as a surprise hit in this household, so seeing Héréditaire appear on the mighty Season of Mist label was most welcome. This is not the same Unverkalt we encountered previously though, not completely; this is something darker.

Across 52 minutes Unverkalt showcase their new direction confidently and successfully. Héréditaire takes the post-metal base of its predecessor and makes it heavier, while applying blackened elements to infuse it with a deeper sense of darkness. Blackened post-metal, would be an appropriate tag. One song features vocals from the singer of Rotting Christ too.

Newly aggressive components make use of black metal influences, presenting a different facet of the Unverkalt experience this time around. Unlike the last album, Héréditaire deploys blast beats and harsh vocals, that are wrapped around the core of the band’s previous identity – doom-laden post-metal, with avant-garde tendencies.

The Cult of Luna/Julie Christmas classic Mariner is still an appropriate reference point, but only in part; now Unverkalt’s own individual identity is deeper, making mood-rich modern black metal tools their own. Think a band such as Gaerea as a rough guide to these new parts of Héréditaire. For the album as a whole, the promo blurb also mentions Myrkur and  Sylvaine, and I’ll also add Schammasch and Zatokrev, as certain aspects of Héréditaire brought these to mind in places.

The songs are well-written and intricate, delivering an experience that’s absorbing. Despite their obvious assets, Unverkalt are a band that rely on the slow burn approach to music. There are hooks, but they’re ones that take time to appear. This is a strong position to operate from, as it allows for the creation music that brings the listener back again and again, each time uncovering more and more of what’s truly special. Héréditaire is an atmospheric, mood-focused record, and it channels all of its multifaceted strengths towards achieving songs that are in it for the long haul.

It’s great to hear the singer’s potent vocals again. Her singing voice is the star of the record in the sense that it’s the most striking and is filled with emotion, but it’s not always the primary focus of the music. Héréditaire is a record that’s holistic and takes an atmosphere-first approach – her singing voice, as well as her fierce screams and the harsh and clean vocals of the guitarist, are ultimately layers that the band deploy to deepen and enrich the songs. Having said that, the singer’s clean vocals are exceptional throughout, and she certainly takes centre stage frequently. The end result is a compelling vocal performance across the album that complements the involved and immersive nature of the music.

Héréditaire is not the expected album from Unverkalt, but you won’t find a complaint here. Unverkalt have developed their sound, combining the delicate with the hostile, to great effect. Héréditaire is a record to spend time with, learning to navigate its esoteric ways and blackened corridors. Once you have you bearings, Unverkalt have such sights to show you.

Essential listening.