Erdve - Epigrama (2026)

It is rare these days that you play an album and you find yourself confused about what is going on. That is the initial feeling we got when listening to Erdve’s “Epigrama”, as we couldn’t figure out if the release was a hardcore, sludge, or Blackened Death Metal release. Unleashing eight tracks and around 42-minutes of music, this outfit unleashes some truly raw and nasty riffs alongside coarse vocals and a very oppressive atmosphere.

Opening with the album title track, the band quickly escalates the aggression with ravaging guitar work. As “Myra”, “Skepsis”, and “Ydos” roll around, it is very clear that the band is on a whole other aural level with its suffocating sound that bleeds some Sludge and even Industrial elements that masterfully unnerve the listener. There is just something that this band has that makes you want to start headbanging and moshing uncontrollably.

Not everything is just brutality and dissonance, as tracks like “Trukmė” and “Raukšlės” have certain melodic elements that allows the band’s sound to be expansive and not one-dimensional. While the vocals are consistently the same, something typical of hardcore releases, the music more than compensates by creating different vibes, while unleashing all kinds of hell. With the singing being done in Lithuanian, we feel even more alienated by the music… and we love it!

As a whole, “Epigrama” is one of those uneasy releases that takes a bit to fully be appreciated, but once it clicks, it is very rewarding and engaging. Finding new sounds/styles is rare, so Erdve managed to pull off something truly special these days. If you are looking for an interesting amalgamation of styles that while hard to describe it still sounds familiar, check out these guys and their very distinctive style.

Rating: 92/100