From the shadowed depths of Belgium emerges Lhaäd, a name that slowly but steadily carves its own sigil into the underground. With ‘Beneath’, the band proves that the Belgian Black Metal lineage, once dominated by names like Ancient Rites, Enthroned, and Vociferian, still breeds interesting and uncompromising entities in the present era.
‘Beneath’ is not the typical raging assault many expect from the region. Instead, Lhaäd crafts a suffocating atmosphere where ritualistic pacing and cavernous soundscapes dominate. The album feels like a descent through ancient catacombs, slow, hypnotic passages intertwine with bursts of raw Black Metal ferocity. The guitars often spiral into droning, almost meditative riffs, while the vocals echo like incantations performed deep underground.What makes the record compelling is its balance between minimalism and tension.
Rather than relying on speed or constant aggression, Lhaäd allows the atmosphere to rot and expand, creating a sense of ritualistic darkness that lingers long after each track fades. The production retains a raw underground character, yet it is spacious enough to let the haunting melodies and oppressive ambience breathe.While the old guard of Belgium set the foundations decades ago, ‘Beneath’ shows that the country’s Black Metal spirit still mutates and evolves.
Lhaäd may not follow the exact path of their predecessors, but they carry the same devotion to darkness, delivering an album that feels both eerie and strangely captivating within today’s underground.
