![hasswald – und so begann… [ep]](https://www.vm-underground.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Hasswald-–-Und-So-Begann…-EP-cover.jpg "Hasswald – Und So Begann… [EP]")
From the deepest and darkest pits of Estonia comes this new and anonymous Black Metal act Hasswald. With next to nothing of information to work with, this illustrious band makes more than sure that the music should be doing the talking. And for that, the band chose a more than fitting title…
Just like they have chosen a fitting title for this debut EP (or demo), they also seem to have done for the band itself. Hasswald is German for Hate Forest, and let that be exactly the band these Estonians’ music is most comparable to. The propulsive drums, the almost Death Metal-like guitar tone and the epic, almost Graveland-style, grandeur are more than once reminiscent of that Ukrainian powerhouse. Hate Forest’s combination of a more or less Lo-Fi sort of sound, powerful guitars and the impeccable sense of mystique and atmosphere is really unique and it has rarely been replicated in an acceptable way. Hasswald, however, does a pretty good job in nearing that trademark sound, it even does not scare away from the use of traditional instruments – especially in this EP’s intro, it is more than working well. It is exactly this beautifully colliding of that Folky traditionalism with the ear-piercing and thundering guitar sound that makes this EP so breathtakingly fascinating.
It might be clear that ‘Und So Begann…’ should not be listened to as a freshly new addition to the Black Metal front, but rather like a true and genuine homage to a sound that many love but hardly anyone knows how to play. The pureness of the raw energy embedded in these three nameless tracks (and intro) are more than worth checking out if you dig some harsh Eastern-European brutality.
Warhorn Records
- Country: Estonia
- Style: Black Metal, Death Metal
- Links: Instagram, Bandcamp
