The Czech underground Extreme Metal scene might be dismissible to some, but it shouldn’t! The amount of talented and unique acts that the scene has nurtured over the years is staggering. It’s a shame these bands are denied the exposure that they deserve… and with ‘Odcházení’, Bran is adding evidence to the statement above. This Black Metal trio was formed in 2020 and this is their first release (out on Signal Rex).
Bran offers four neatly produced Black Metal tracks on ‘Odcházení’. The production is crystal clear and a record like this truly benefits from it too. The Czech’s create an epic soundscape that falls in between melodic Black Metal and Atmospheric Black Metal. There’s a lot going on in every song and with it comes the urge to keep on replaying ‘Odcházení’, i.e. every replay will yield new details. Another noteworthy aspect of the songwriting is how amazingly solid every track is crafted. From the first note to the last, the flow in which the tracks develop is outstandingly organic.
The overall feel that ‘Odcházení’ gives off is one of soothing peace and quiet, as obnoxious as that may sound for an Extreme Metal album. At it’s stripped down fundamentals Brann may be playing violent Black Metal, but this is dialled down by the sheer amount of comforting melody that’s occupying the top layers of the songs. These melodies are not merely found in guitar leads, they’re hiding within the chord progressions themselves too. This is akin to what Austere did on their ‘To Lay Like Old Ashes’ or what Woods of Desolation is known for, minus the overly depressive moods that those bands are so eagerly projecting.
In short, Brann has delivered a very strong first debut album. ‘Odcházení’ is an emotionally laden record that’s as violent as it is calming to the soul. It’s wrapped in an effectively clean production that further enhances the beauty of the songs alone. One cannot get bored sitting through this album as the flow within the songs is retained beautifully without dabbling into overly repetitiveness. Brann has proven to a capable group and has, again, stated that the Czech scene is one to be reckoned with. If ‘Odcházení’ has flown under your radar, be sure to give this record the attention it deserves.
