From the shadowy depths of the underground emerges Ifrit with ‘Haunting Charnel Grounds’, an EP that reeks of crypt dust, sulphur and ritualistic violence. This release stands firmly within the realm of cavernous occult Death Metal, drawing strong inspiration from the suffocating sonic doctrines of Dead Congregation. The influence is unmistakable: dense riff labyrinths, oppressive atmosphere and an aura of ancient blasphemy flowing through every moment.
Rather than relying purely on speed, Ifrit crafts a sound that thrives on tension and ritualistic weight. The guitars coil and twist through sinister progressions while the drums drive the songs forward like a relentless march through desecrated burial grounds. The vocals erupt from the abyss with guttural authority, echoing like incantations from a forgotten necropolis.
Throughout ‘Haunting Charnel Grounds’, the band balances savage bursts of brutality with ominous mid-paced passages that allow the darkness to fully manifest. This pacing reinforces the oppressive atmosphere, much like the suffocating approach perfected by the Greek masters of occult Death Metal. The riffs feel ancient and deliberate, conjuring visions of subterranean temples and charnel pits where forbidden rites unfold.
Another highlight is Ifrit’s own rendition of the cult track ‘Watain’, originally forged by the infamous American Black Metal cult Von. Instead of merely replicating the primitive rawness of the original, Ifrit reshape it through their Death Metal lens; thickening the riffs, deepening the atmosphere and transforming it into a darker, heavier ritual that bridges the early Black Metal spirit with their cavernous sound.
Despite being a relatively short offering, ‘Haunting Charnel Grounds’ carries the weight of a genuine invocation. It is a release steeped in occult reverence and old-school extremity, where Death Metal is treated not as entertainment but as a ritual of darkness and destruction.
