![obscure anachronism / horna – Śūnyatā / isän puhuessa / siunatun yön hulluus [split]](https://www.vm-underground.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Obscure-Anachronism-Horna-–-Sunyata-Isan-puhuessa-Siunatun-Yon-Hulluus-cover.jpg "Obscure Anachronism / Horna – Śūnyatā / Isän puhuessa / Siunatun Yön Hulluus [Split]")
Info
- Band(s): Horna, Obscure Anachronism
- Label(s): World Terror Committee
- Release Format(s): 12" vinyl, Split
- Release Year: 2024
- Review Date: November 11, 2024
- Author(s): FelixS
Horna, undoubtedly one the ultimate stalwarts of Finnish Black Metal, is not quite a stranger to the concept of split releases. I quickly counted them and, if I am not mistaken, this is now the 17th volume in the long history of splits from an even more extensive discography. This LP (vinyl-only release) is shared with Austria’s Obscure Anachronism, a band that may not immediately ring a bell with everyone but, given they share the same label as Horna, perhaps not a terribly odd choice after all.
True gentlemen as they are, Horna let their guest open the dance. So, first we have Obscure Anachronism representing themselves with one lengthy song. Although the band has been around for two decades, they are not very prolific. The first album was released in 2007 and its follow-up took 14 years to come out. Musically, this song, which is titled ‘Śūnyatā – Passing Through The Eye Of The Dragon’, is most akin to 2011’s ‘Metanoia’ album, also released through W.T.C. Productions. And while it is indeed a long track, its many twists and turns mean it is never dull or dreary for a moment. The good tremelo-picked melodies swirl throughout the song and seem engaged in an almost ritual dance with the drums and the very convincing vocal antics of Dharmakayā, who has since continued his band as a one-man band. With its intricate way of riffing and overall song writing Obscure Anachronism certainly fits the W.T.C. Productions stables, sometimes slightly dissonant but always creative and, most importantly, high in quality. Both in terms of musical content and sound-wise Dharmakayā is offering a very solid piece of elaborate and sophisticated Black Metal. While certainly not a mirror image of it musically, he will doubtlessly have learned a lot from his involvement as Acherontas’ (or Αχέροντας) live guitarist for the last past years. I can only hope that this split LP is a warm-up for a new album, because it is about time for that by now.
Horna then, on the other side of the vinyl. Two tracks of quite typical Horna, maybe a bit less gritty in nature compared to ‘Hengen Tulet’ (2015) for instance and much more in line with a slightly more organic sound of the past few records. Yet, Horna has always been a bit of a shapeshifting entity that came with whatever they felt was fitting at the time of writing – but, it is always recognizably Horna, a remarkable talent. While these two songs might sound a bit clearer, there still is a certain raw edge to it to seamlessly fit into the Horna discography: not only because of the rumbling bass and the typical sharp Finnish Black Metal riffs, but certainly also because of Spellgoth’s trademark vocals. Highlight for this recording, however, is definitely the drum sound and, more specifically, the bass-drum is sounding remarkably good. With a fat and massive pounding sound, Horna’s contribution to this split LP subsequently has a heavy forward-thrusting power. Something that has been a vital part of the Horna formula for the band’s entire three decades of existence. By now, that true power is as deeply ingrained in Horna’s DNA as the band itself has become synonymous with what we now call ‘Finnish Black Metal’.
