Foulpest is a new band with members from The Graves, Hexenaltar and Aries Vehemens, some of the best-known bands in the Polish underground, especially the latter, which dates back to the early 2000s. In 2025 they formed this blasphemous project, releasing the EP ‘Come unto Evil’. in 2026.
The first thing that assaults the damned senses is the intensity and violence from the very first second, with vocals reminiscent of the old Nocturno Culto on ‘Under a Funeral Moon’. A raw composition with dense, slow, hate-filled interludes, the characteristic riffs of the style are present, blackening the track’s ether. These guitars are more noticeable in the slower tempos; when the speed increases and the screams emerge, they are somewhat relegated to the background. ‘Unholy Confessions’. is both captivating and easily digestible, with its 5 minutes alternating between slow and fast tempos.
The following track, titled ‘Necromantic Summoning’. reverses the previous formula, beginning slowly and heavily with sustained bass drum intervals, maintaining a moribund pace until, as expected, they hit the gas and unleash a maelstrom. The tremolo rhythm guitars are simple but effective, fulfilling their purpose of tearing at the skin of the unwary. Midway through, a mid-tempo rhythm with an unexpectedly cadenced riff attacks, disrupting the previous rhythm. This rhythm then gradually increases in speed, providing the ideal setting for the vocals to spew all their black venom. Towards the end, the drums make their presence felt as the track dissolves into a slow spiral, which alternates with a slightly faster closing rhythm.
It is 11 minutes of raw Black Metal with strong influences from mid-90s Black Metal, boasting excellent sound without losing the lo-fi edge. I think it is a great introduction, and it will be interesting to see what they deliver on a full album!
