![izrod – ulica, trnje i kamenje [ep]](https://www.vm-underground.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Izrod-–-Ulica-Trnje-i-Kamenje-EP-cover.jpg "Izrod – Ulica, Trnje i Kamenje [EP]")
In 2023 Izrod, the latest assembly of gifted Black Metal musicians from the Bosnian Black Plague Circle, presented their debut album ‘Sarajevski Odisej’. In reality, that first recording was born from the ashes of Cave Ritual and Void Prayer, presenting the latest metamorphosis into the most elaborate and dissonant approach that far. And that sound has now found its succesor with the release of the EP ‘Ulica, Trnje i Kamenje’.
The EP starts off with ‘Svitanje’, a dark and waltzing piano intro in the vein of ‘Lestat’s Theme’ from the movie ‘Interview with a Vampire’. The romantic tragedy only last for a short while, as we go onwards with the thundering ‘S & P’. Compared to the full-length, it is clear that the band opted for a slightly heavier sound in the guitars and drums. With it comes an at times slightly more accentuated Death Metal influence, something that is enforced by some of the riffs and more chugging sections on this EP. But at heart, Izrod still remains the same Black Metal band that was introduced to us on ‘Sarajevski Odisej’. Even though the striking guitar solos are a little bit more restricted, the core is still the choking and at times dissonant Black Metal. This dissonance is perhaps not so obvious in the first full song‘S & P’, but takes a much more prominent place in the subsequent title track. Starting off with a skincrawling riff, everything from the devilish riff changes, maniacal shrieks, nervous drumming and frivolous bass combines into an unsettling amalgam. But while dissonance can easily be pushed too far, the musicians behind Izrod know perfectly how to keep this chaos restricted at the favor of song structures and overall intensity. Thus, as odd as a break with clear strumming, hissing vocals, hoompa drum beats and a distant solo may sound, the unsettling atmosphere remains standing triumphantly. The same can be said for the closing track ‘Raskošan prizor opšteg rasula’. With pounding drums giving an almost mechanic character, the whirling combination of instruments, the entrancing melodies and excellent musicianship flirt with madness but manage to keep everything in reign.
Izrod combines many of the creative talents of the Bosnian Black Metal scene and it shows in the level of complexity of the music. Sophisticated and thought-provoking, the music harbors both challenging elements and trademark intensity. ‘Ulica, Trnje i Kamenje’ presents an excellent continuation for the band, and a welcome sign of life from the Black Plague Circle that can be enjoyed on physical format from mid February courtesy of Signal Rex.
