Valosta Varjoon - Das Flammenmeer (2021)

There is something just magical about listening to that blistering metallic distortion of old-school Raw Black Metal. Luckily for us, today we have Germany’s Valosta Varjoon and their latest full-length release “Das Flammenmeer”. Spewing 52-minutes of pummeling music, this release perfectly captures the genre’s rawness and delivers seven swift blows filled with brutality and craftiness.

After the atmospheric opening of the album’s title track, the band goes to work with a savage dose of piercing guitars and infernal shrieks of pain. Simple, raw and yet effective and brutal is the band’s motto as tracks like “Abschaum”, “Ruinen”, and “Gspusi” bring back the old-school vibe of the early days of Satyricon, Immortal, with a splash of Satanic Warmaster and Horna.

If you are not already sore from headbanging by the time that “Die Dunklen Reiter” arrives, you will be at the end of it. This track is our favorite one thanks to its ferocity and yet subtle melody. The band’s core sound is quite traditional, but their composition skills allow them to craft unique and engaging songs that never get old, like the riveting “Unbekannte Wege” and the pummelling “Der Krähentisch”. Two songs that show different sides of the band’s musical spectrum.

As a whole, “Das Flammenmeer” is one hell of a savage release that brings back memories from the early days of Black Metal. There is certainly nothing dull about all the songs here, and thanks to its intense guitar work and punishing vocals, the album never drags and keeps the listener engaged. If you like raw and intense BM, this is one album to not miss in 2021.

Label: Purity Through Fire

Release: March 21st, 2021

Genre: Black Metal

Country: Germany