Impending Hostility

“This is sheer RUTHLESSNESS” is the exact sentence that stormed my head when I listened to Impending Hostility for the first time. This release by the band Preludium is a reminder of the glorious death/black metal dominance the world over by the much celebrated or, for some, the underrated Polish scene.

The album opener, Legacy of Destination, is a death march to annihilation. As soon as that gruesome double vocal attack creeps in, you know it’s a straight out marching to war for some fanatical killings. The guitar riffs are heavy and the solos are short and raging with a very Behemoth-ish tone. Blast beats are utilized very well. The track Desolation is a mass killing war anthem using harmonic pinches. Lukasz’s vocals have really come full throttle in this track and the almost chanting-like delivery adds an eerie finish to the track.

One track that stands out and really needs a special mention is Bitter Cold, which hugely reminds of the Behemoth classic As Above So Below. An addictive mid paced track with huge riffing and solid drumming, this track, though slower, lacks no power or heaviness and the cruel breakdown towards the end does no good to your already near-broken neck.

The moment you play this album you realize that you are delving into a tyrannical aural sphere of Preludium where you will be treated ruthlessly with those sonic arsenals that they possess in the form of buzzing guitars, martial drums, and those dense, guttural shouts.

The band hasn’t experimented with anything fresh and at some point the drum patterns may sound too repetitive, but Impending Hostility is a straightforward, ferocious album with quality musicianship. It's a brilliant demonstration of utter brutality and intimidating aural warfare stories. A must have. A must listen.

Originally written for Brutal Pokhara