![kudlaakh – poisoned [ep]](https://www.vm-underground.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Kudlaakh-–-Poisoned-EP-cover.jpg "Kudlaakh – Poisoned [EP]")
Info
- Band(s): Kudlaakh
- Label(s): Altare Productions, Perverse Homage
- Release Format(s): 12" vinyl, CD
- Release Year: 2024
- Review Date: December 28, 2024
- Author(s): FelixS
In the great hoopla of Raw and/or Lo-Fi Black Metal bands and releases from around the second half of the 10s, Kudlaakh fell a bit outside the box. Labels like Skjold, Black Gangrene Productions and Perverse Homage (again on duty here) released record after record that people bashed each other’s skulls in for. The ‘hype’, further fuelled by the now defunct Nuclear War Now!-boards and then-emerging Instagram show-off behaviour, records by bands such as Lampir, Obskuritatem, Sanguine Relic, Funeral Altar, Orgy Of Carrion, Carved Cross and Unholy Vampyric Slaughter Sect were transacted for astronomical sums. Though musically of a similar ilk and also fronted by one of the hipster labels, Kudlaakh has never been able to benefit from this mania. Such is the unfathomable world where internet hypes and Black Metal converge…
In part, the lesser interest in Kudlaakh may also have to do with the fact that the band arrived at the party a little too late. Because as it is the case with hypes: they come and go. Fortunately, music does not perish, but the days of excessive attention and boasting with expensive records and tapes seem to be a bit over, so now it can just be about the music again. Thankfully.
Because musical quality has never been an issue. Prior to this new EP, the band presented us with a few short-players, of which the first and self-titled 2018 demo and the 2021 ‘Beyond A World Of Illusion’ 7” EP released by Altare Productions were particularly rewarding. And, frankly, while ‘Poisoned’ is Kudlaakh’s first sign of life in over three years, not much seem to have been changed. The band always stood for a rather uncomplicated approach to Black Metal. At least, that is what it sounds like at first blush. The music is obviously inspired by the riff-driven Raw Black Metal tradition of the late 90’s, a period that was mostly dominated by the early recordings of bands like Judas Iscariot and Moonblood, all heavily leaning on the musical heritage of Darkthrone and Gorgoroth. But drilling the music of Kudlaakh down to the nitty-gritty you’ll find quite a bit of intricate riffing. Not quite on the Dødheimsgard sort of levels, but the constant twisting and turning of the icy cold riffs truly sets the band apart from its peers who – in essence – do the same thing, but rely on an atmosphere of repetitive riffs and Lo-Fi production rather than musical ingenuity.
Kudlaakh also employs a raw production, but this does not obscure the musical ambitions that are again evident on ‘Poisoned’. As such, this new EP fits seamlessly into the band’s (modest) discography, which, by the way, if you haven’t already, is now on sale for peanuts on platforms like Discogs. To complete the irony, many bands and also labels that were the bomb in those several years ago have now perished and been forgotten, but Kudlaakh is still showing, quietly and at its own pace admittedly, to stand for quality Black Metal several years later.
Altare Productions
- Country: Portugal
- Style: Black Metal
- Links: Homepage, Youtube
