Lurking in the Depths

Almost completing two decades of existence, Irae is a name deeply rooted in the Portuguese black metal scene. With a discography full of demos, EPs, splits and LPs that are already countless, the Satan's pilgrim, from Brandoa (with hatred), has in 2020 the new full-length “Lurking in the Depths”.

Always upset with the world, in which each riff breathes wickedness and each scream exhales a piercing disdain, the album starts with “Nightshade”, a track that presents a certain decadent notion that's often built in the north side of Portugal, with acts like Inthyflesh or even Jazigo.

In addition to a dirty and unreasonable signature, tracks like “Black Metal Violator” and “Ratazanas” are elaborated through more mid-tempo segments, but always sharp, which end up blooming at a demonic and somewhat dissonant speed.

Coincidence or not, the track “A Blaze in the Mist” is just halfway to remember Darkthrone. As for the sound presented, it's not 100% Norwegian but goes very close with fast and simple drums, and riffs in which an icy and hypnotic repetition dominates.

On the other hand, “Between Ruins” puts us in a ghostly environment due to the inclusion of synthesizers, a tool that's not often explored in Irae. Still, this track also ends up showing a sense of doom metal due to a guitar lead / solo verging on the epic side, which is another feature that's not explored in this project at all.

Highlighting the isolation and the tiredness towards the world / society in where we live (aspects that Vulturius has always showed in his lyrics), “Lurking in the Depths” presents a more social and less religious Satanism, thus going other ways in comparison with old and relevant tracks in Irae's songbook such as “Fátima em Ruínas” or “Queima as Casas de Deus”.

From almost inaudible releases, such as “Que se Foda o Vagos Open Air – Isto é Black Metal!” (2014), to moments of great inspiration, such as “Crimes Against Humanity” (2017) and “The Maniac Perversion of My Soul” (2019), this new album is Irae's most dynamic and diverse work because unusual creative ramifications are included and are perfectly suitable regarding the musical evolution of this vehicle of wrath.