In Black Ashes

The Dutch black/death metal band Onheil has been running in the underground for a very long time. The group was formed almost twenty-five years ago in 1999. Only vocalist and guitar player Amok is still left from the original line-up. However, the gentlemen are not very prolific in the sense that after a series of demos and an EP, the debut full length “Razor” took until 2009 to be released. With that debut, however, Onheil were able to gather some recognition within the scene. Their branch of melodic black/death metal boasts rock-solid guitar work and recalls big names like Dissection or Sacramentum. Five years after their initial album, the band proved with “Storm Is Coming” that the debut was not the be-all and end-all of their creativity. While I do not own the second long-player from the snippets I heard it was also full of excellent, melodic compositions, in which even some heavy metal influences seeped through, especially in the guitar work.

It took nearly another decade to drop album number three. “In Black Ashes” is more or less a continuation of their previous work. Amok hired a new crew and delivered another cracking record with elements of both melodic black and death metal in equal measures and some sprinkles of thrash thrown in to up the primal energy. With three guitar players sharing the duty it should not come as surprise that the music is very much focused on the interplay between crushing riffs and swirling melodies. This is not to say that the rhythm section is not doing a marvelous job, but the addition of a third guitar just gives the band a lot more options and relentlessness.

The seven songs are not only slightly longer than average but are also compositionally stronger than most stuff you will find in the genre. With a playing time of 40 minutes, this third full-length is over before you know it. However, the compositions are so catchy that the tendency is great to click on the repeat button immediately once the final riff has ended. The show starts with opener “Night Terror” which is also the shortest of the bunch. After a brief intro, the combination of hefty blasts and wonderfully catchy harmonies work their magic for the first time. In the final third things are slowed down a bit and the pummeling makes place for a more atmospheric part before the song is back with the trademark pounding. The title track is next and brings some slightly different rhythms into play but once again the glimmering lead guitar work shines through and dominates the show. Onheil are great in switching tempos within a short time frame to keep the listener on the toes.

With the fourth cut “Void” we get a surprisingly groovy mid-tempo stomper with the intense vocals making sure to send some shivers down your spine. This song is a melodic anthem of the highest order and shows a band capable of delivering this brand of metal in the best possible way. From the beginning onwards you are bombarded with a lot of ideas and nicely constructed moments. There are quite a lot of different layers and textures to elaborate on over the course of 40 minutes, and Onheil often work with the contrasts of the grim and the grandiose. Sweepingly epic harmonies, the implementation of cold and icy main chords among a variety of other ingredients, help carry the music into the world of dark and misty realms.

The dark atmospherics, blackened melodic streaks, and dynamic shifts in emotional intensity are performed and arranged with professional enthusiasm. The end product is an impressive piece of music performed and produced with a lot of polish and energy. The sound is more or less perfect, very dynamic and transparent. Every instrument is in its place in the mix, with no aspect overpowering the others. The physical version also comes with a wonderful artwork which perfectly matches the theme and mood of the album, making “In Black Ashes” a high recommendation for fans of this style.