Withershin – The Hungering Void EP (2010)

Today we have a short-but-sweet EP from this Swedish quartet that plays Black Metal. Withershin was formed since 2006, in just a few years has managed to release a demo, a full-length CD and this EP that feels more like a maxi-single since it only lasts 15 minutes.

The three tracks in this EP showcase a mature band that plays a very solid Black Metal that would rival any of the other mid-level bands in Sweden and the world. Since there are only three songs we will use the dreaded song-by-song review approach.

“Wherein I Exalt” is the albums first track and opens up with a very traditional Black Metal riff, that works very well in setting the tone for this release. The drumming is excellent, and the vocal work is very solid and brutal. In general this track (the longest one) is a pretty solid starter for this release. However the filler sounds used in the last two minutes of this track where completely unnecessary and break the flow of the release.

“The Hungering Void” starts off with a brutal assault of drumming and guitar riffs that will blow you away, too bad this song is very short. But it’s also one of the most brutal songs of this release, featuring a mixture of growls and shrieks. The riffing is somewhat uninspired, but it gets the job done.

“Crossing The Threshold” is another ‘longer song’ that features a melodic tone setting intro and it’s slower paced than the first two songs. We like how this song ends the release with a slower pace but maintaining the ‘evilness’ of this band’s sound.

In general we enjoyed this EP, it has 15 minutes of Black Metal that is not supper innovative, but it’s well executed. The band needs a few more years to be able to write songs that are more original and probably longer, All the musical elements are there, and the musicianship is also present, they just need to work more on their songs.

Release: June 1st, 2010

Country: Sweden