Unfyros is a name that I have not heard of before receiving the promo kit for their debut album, “Alpha Hunt“. According to the official information that was enclosed within it, this band is the newest manifestation of Anti Ittna H, one of the members of the most bizarre and interesting Finnish projects, Arktau Eos. Unfyros‘ debut album “Alpha Hunt” marks the first release of Empyrean Editions, a sub division of Aural Hypnox, better known for the releases of several occult related experimental acts like Arktau Eos, Halo Manash, Arktau Aon etc.
“Alpha Hunt” has been released on the 30th of September in a digipack version limited to 500 copies, so if you want to lay your hands on this outstanding release, you can find it here.
On “Alpha Hunt” Unfyros walks on a more black metal path compared to other projects that Anti has been involved in, like Dolorian for example. The music of Unfyros can be perfectly described as “a unique mixture of old-school, mid-tempo black metal and heavy metal with a strong emphasis on the dark, hypnotic and menacing atmosphere“. The 6 songs that feature on the debut album are monolithic, monotonous and very mid-tempo, unlike one might expect from a Finnish black metal band. But in our case this is not an issue at all, as this Finnish duo creates an enthralling experience with so little effort. Sometimes the music brings back the superb atmosphere I found on the first Burzum albums, with its cold, minimalistic touches and obsessive rhythms (ex. “The Numinous Meeting“).
Unfyros creates a dark, oppressive and murky atmosphere which slowly engulfs you during the 37 minutes of the record. I feel like walking on invisible quicksand here, as the more I listen to this album, the deeper I fall into a black and hopeless abyss. The guitar riffs are abrasive, the drums are almost ritualistic with their obsessive mid tempo while the raspy vocals are disturbing and menacing. Even if not very high in the mix, the bass guitar is still present and it looms in the darkness with its discrete, pulsating chords (“In Dawn Claws“, “Onyxian (Abyss-Mother)“). The mystical aspect of the music is also very well highlighted by the haunting album cover (created by the British artist Namurian Visions), which makes you think about the chaotic and fucked up universe Lovecraft has so well described in his works.
The whole album sounds as if something unexpected and unpleasant is about to happen, but you just don’t know when it’ll occur. This incertitude is unsettling and beautiful at the same time, and you can best experience it if you listen to the album as a whole, from start to finish (I suggest headphones as well). After multiple spins, I can compare “Alpha Hunt” to a giant primordial snake which slowly coils around its helpless victim, choking it to death before it swallows it whole.
I totally recommend Unfyros‘ debut album to those who want to hear quality black metal made with respect to the music and to the art. While Unfyros may have not invented the wheel, with “Alpha Hunt” they have clearly proved that black metal can still exist if real passion, dedication and spirituality are put to good use. Sometimes “less is more” and this debut album captures the very essence of what true black metal should be about.
UNFYROS – “Alpha Hunt” Tracklist:
1. The Dagger Within
2. In Dawn Claws
3. A Numinous Meeting
4. Enter the Monolith
5. The Cosmogyral Flame
6. Onyxian (Abyss-Mother)
UNFYROS Line-Up:
Anti Ittna H. : vocals / guitars / bass / synth
Nox Vector : drums and cymbals
Band Contact:
https://www.instagram.com/unfyros
https://www.facebook.com/unfyros
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