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Svrm – М​о​в​ч​а​н​н​я і с​м​е​р​т​ь [EP]

svrm – М​о​в​ч​а​н​н​я і с​м​е​р​т​ь [ep]

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As stated in a previous Svrm review, I wouldn’t claim that I have heard the entire back catalogue of this Ukrainian band. But it was clear to me that with the last couple of EP’s this one-man band has really grown wings. Not that the first recordings were bad or interesting, on the contrary, as they already clearly had the same musical vision, but since the most recent releases Svrm started to really get into the shape I am sure it was intended. Not too long after the release of ‘Прощання’, the band is back with yet another EP that further solidifies the band’s Atmospheric Black Metal path…

With almost an identical playing time of 15 minutes we are presented with a few precious moments of splendidly executed Atmospheric Black Metal that sounds thoroughly Ukrainian. Following in the steps of the grandmasters of Ukrainian Atmospheric Black Metal: Drudkh. The multi-layered character of the music is almost at that very same level, with compelling melodies and beautifully constructed riffs. Sergey Tkachenko’s rough and harsh vocals offer a great and dynamic contrast to the breathtakingly well-crafted and riff-driven atmosphere. To further highlight the composition’s sense of dynamics, the creatively deployed drums play a propulsive role, as much as the case is with Drudkh. In fact, it is the full package of instrumentation and vocals that are cumulating into a near-perfect Atmospheric Black Metal maelstrom.

Adding to the sonic beauty of ‘М​о​в​ч​а​н​н​я і с​м​е​р​т​ь’ is the equally near-perfect sound. It is clear and “slick” enough to allows all instruments to shine, but it retains a certain rawer edge that keeps it all too close to the last Drudkh records (keeping this comparison for the sake of convenience). Together with the magnificence of the music the straight-in-your-face production more or less represents the beauty and ruggedness of nature that the music is inspired by. It can both be breathtaking and devastating at the same time.

Needless to say, ‘М​о​в​ч​а​н​н​я і с​м​е​р​т​ь’ is a more than worthy follow-up to last May’s ‘Прощання’. Together with the first EP of 2024, ‘Є тільки смерть, є тільки тьма’ Svrm has proven to be at the very top of their game. The last Svrm album dates from 2021 and was followed by a small series of EP’s that clearly better capture the intensity of the music. So the question is whether Tkachenko wants to stick to short players, if it were up to me: excellent idea!

Svrm

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