Lo-Ruhamah

Lo-Ruhamah seem to fall in the same vein as other black metal acts that explore a more folkish/nature-oriented territory, such as early Woods of Ypres and Agalloch. And let me tell you, it works. Technical enough to satisfy the most hardened of black/death fans, yet rife with enough elements of more purist styles of black metal to satisfy those of a more traditional bent, this self-titled EP is a fantastic little sample of what this band can do.

The overall sound on here is very well-produced, and the songs ebb and flow with a defiantly rhythmic nature, lurching along in giant, guitar-fueled waves. Much like Opeth, the band will halt out of nowhere, mid-scream, and suddenly segue into acoustic-backed atmospheric passages that are nothing short of stunning. Drumming on here is absolutely perfect - mid-paced blasting, rhythmic fills, thrashy assaults - it's all here, and perfectly suited to the music. Vocals veer between black metal shrieks similar to Borgazur's latest album, and more death metal-like roars.

Again, I must state that I am an absolute sucker for acoustic passages in music this harsh - when, back in the day, I heard Opeth's "Dirge for November" descend into its beautiful acoustics, I melted like ice cream in the eighth ring of hell. Same with Lo-Ruhamah's material on here, especially on the track "The Birthright of Cain".

Do not miss this wonderful EP while you can still get it.