AK-11 – Legendary, Demonic & Invincible (2011)

Featuring six tracks of blistering Black Metal, today we have Australia’s AK-11 and their EP/Demo “Legendary, Demonic & Invincible”. In this release, the band delivers very powerful music that will surely please any BM fan due to the solid song writing and hellish vocals. The band’s originality level is not too high, but as a first release it shows great promise.

Opening with the furiously paced “The Cleansing Stream”, the riffing starts off with a bang. The typical BM riffing is furious and it is nicely accompanied with hectic drumming. The vocals are pretty brutal, but sound a bit gargled thanks to the production. The song is fairly straightforward, but pretty intense for an opener. Switching to Russian language, “Vechnyi ogon’” and “Slava Rossii” deliver high-octane action with a few intricate melodic passages.

The one thing that surprises us about AK-11 is that while the band is not highly original, they are not linear or very predictable. This shows above average song writing skills, something rare in new and upcoming bands. The album’s best track has to be the diabolical “Sniper’s glory (Satan guides my aim)” which features some sick riffing and a very crushing atmosphere.

Closing with the raw and intense “Shest’ shest’ shest’ I Katyusha”, AK-11 leaves on a high-note and fully delivers on anybody’s expectations for a Black Metal demo. The production is very acceptable and sounds like the band really cares about writing good songs and not tries to sound like everybody else and their excessive low-fi sound. If you are looking for something for a decent BM release to kill some time, check out this demo available for free on their band page.

Release: 2011

Country: Australia