Hagoroth are a black metal band from an unknown location, and this is their second album.
No information is available as to whether Hagoroth is a full band or a solo venture. Either way, Hagoroth play black metal with progressive and avant-garde tendencies, and it’s really rather special. Across 38 expressive minutes, Hagoroth reveals itself to be a carefully curated blend of aggression, atmosphere, emotion, and exploration.
This is a very strange album, but in a good way. You can absolutely call it progressive black metal, but that usually implies merely black metal that’s progressive. Although that’s true, and there’s plenty of raw modern black metal to be enjoyed here, there are times – many times – where Hagoroth is an out-and-out prog rock record, with no hint of black metal to be found. And do you know what? It’s glorious. In some ways it’s reminiscent of Chapel of Disease, only where that band fuse together death metal and prog, Hagoroth go for black metal instead.
Hagoroth know a good riff when they see it, but aren’t afraid to throw in plenty of curveballs either. Tasty blackened grooves and dark violence exist alongside 70s prog rock workouts, rockstar solos, frenetic metallic flexes, and much more. Hagoroth are not short on ideas, at all. Not all of it works, but most of it does, making Hagoroth a very interesting journey that remains an enjoyable one. The good thing though is that even the parts the listener might not have been sure about on initial listens get their teeth into you eventually.
The songs offer a curious mix of creative experiences. Each track is a world unto itself, and all six taken together allow Hagoroth to cover a lot of ground. The variety is a strength, largely because it works – this is a record where a lot of different components have been smashed together, yet against all of the odds they have found a way to coalesce into something remarkably coherent and effective.
Thinking of Hagoroth another way then, let’s start with a 00s black metal base, probability more French than Scandinavian, (think Mutiilation). Dip a little into the avant-garde, (Arcturus), and then flavour with touches of the contemporary underground, (bits of bands like Heir, Ὁπλίτης (Hoplites), Unmother). Then, add in a decent amount of classic progressive rock, (Pink Floyd, Rush, an occasional Dawnwalker feel), and heavy metal, (Iron Maiden). These latter two are key aspects of what makes Hagoroth so compelling, but there’s more too; there’s a touch of early 00s mathcore, (Association Area, Drowningman), a pinch of punk fury, (Minor Threat), a dashing of electronic enhancement, and a slight shadowing of shoegaze. Throw all of this into a blender, and you’ll get a satisfying, satiating meal.
Of course, these references are just that – a starting point to get an idea of some of the areas that Hagoroth covers, and are mostly just adequate at best. The band inject a lot of their own personality into the mix, and the end result is worth spending time with. Put simply, Hagoroth have produced a compelling record of progressive black metal. It reeks of 70s prog rock and 80s heavy metal, while retaining a serrated blackened bite.
Essentially, Hagoroth take both black metal and progressive rock and run wild. (Although, it should be noted though that other styles do appear too – a bit of death metal here and there, as one example). The material balances the two main halves of the band’s influences, but in frequently very different ratios. Mostly the two sides of the music are thoughtfully enmeshed, while at others it’s purely one side or the other that’s in the ascendant. A lot of the time the progressive rock aspects are let loose with complete abandon, and you’re off into a trip that’s filled with wondrous sights. In many ways the two primary elements that make up this album sound like utterly different acts, but instead of being jarring, it’s exciting, and flows better than you’d think.
This is definitely something you should be checking out if you’re looking for underground black metal with a strong progressive side. It’s raw and unforgiving, yet also rewarding. It’s not perfect and has some definite rough edges, but it boasts a lot more strengths than it does areas for improvements. Honestly though, taking everything into account, including just raw enjoyment factor, Hagoroth is exceptional.
Enter the twisted prog realms of Hagoroth, where marvellous dream visions and vast nightmarescapes coexist.
Essential listening for lovers of the obscure and esoteric.
Wonderbox Metal 