A 2021 released debut EP from budding Italian Melodic Black Metal talent Nachtschwarz. They entitled their first opus ‘Abysmal Ruin’ and adorned it with moody nocturnal artwork and a cassette version of the EP was soon unleashed by Greek Black Metal label True Cult Records.
‘Abysmal Ruin’ is an anguished plea for help; a desperate message aimed at humanity decrying the downfall not just of society, but of our ecosystem, our home. Musically, Nachtschwarz opened the EP with a mid-tempo track entitled ‘Beneath the Grave’ which has a bass heavy overtone, a simple drumming routine and a straightforward riff style, interspersed with some melodic interludes. The dual vocal work of both Cassandra and Dorian are grim sounding yet unspectacular.
In truth this Ep feels like it’s more about the message than the music, which is basic to say the least. There isn’t anything intrinsically wrong with the bands style, but the drumming sounds pre-programmed using an inferior software, the guitar work is ordinary to the point where it borders on bland, and nothing about the EP stands out.
