I came upon Hamvak some time ago when I blindly purchased their S/T demo tape, released in 2017. I did’t know too much about the band at that time, but I later found out that the main guy behind this project is D, an active musician playing in several Hungarian underground bands (Earth Plague, Ghoul Temple, Malediction etc).
“Maelstrom of Abhorrent Incantations” is the band’s first full album and it initially came out on CD in 2022 , released by the Polish label Morbid Chapel Records. The tape version (the one that I am reviewing here) came out in 2024 as a joint coop between the German label Obscure Disharmony Records and the Hungarian maniacs from Fekete Terror Productions.
The name of the album actually describes very well what happens during the almost 40 minutes of this record. These 6 songs create a hateful black maelstrom of hate which drags you in from the very first chords. The rhythm is unrelenting, full of merciless blast beats and inhuman growls, perfectly suitable for a savage death/black metal album.
The guitars have a particular sound I never encountered before and this detail makes the album stand out from the very beginning. There are also slower parts scattered here and there along the tracks (ex. “Impetuous Warfare“, “Storming Abhorrent Forces” or “The Glorious Return of Death”) but their role is more to enhance the horrific atmosphere rather than to bring some respite or melody into the blackened mix.
We also have two guest musicians on this record, Patrick Pusztai (Ghoul Temple/Earth Plague etc) lends his vocals to the “Arrows of Vengeance” opening track, while Tibor Hány (Mörbid Carnage/Rothadás/Cryptworm etc) does the lead guitar on “Savage Blasphemous Incantation“.
The drums pound into your brains relentlessly, the down tuned guitars (with their sharp, “chaotic” solos) carve deep gashes on your skin while Dávid‘s unhuman growls evoke possessed voices from beyond coming to haunt your dreams and whole existence.
Wrap all the above mentioned elements in a perfect production with the black and white cover as demented and horrific as the music itself (Grafit és Hamu did a fantastic job here) and you’ll have the best definition of a hellish nightmare, the perfect soundtrack of your insanity.
The last song of the album, “The Glorious Return of Death“, with its clear mix of fast and slower parts is the one I resonate the most with. It stands out from the other tracks through the atmosphere it creates: It’s claustrophobic, suffocating and heavy as fuck. A creepy swarm of döglégy (carrion fly) buzzes over the track as if ready to feed on it, while mid the tempo drums and crunchy riffs pound their obsessive rhythm deep in your skull. What better way to close such an abomination of an album than with a damn fine rotting track?
“Maelstrom.. is a sinister monument erected to praise the ancient gods, where death and black elements intertwine beautifully, creating a fascinating insight of Dávid‘s musical vision. This album, as relentless and unforgiving as it can possibly be, is the perfect debut for Hamvak and it will definitely appeal to those searching for something different in extreme metal.
HAMVAK – “Maelstrom of Abhorrent Incantations” Track list:
1. Arrows of Vengeance
2. Impetuous Warfare
3. Storming Abhorrent Forces
4. Savage Blasphemous Incantation
5. Rite of Eradication
6. The Glorious Return of Death
Hamvak band contact:
scrollsofdarmoth.com 
Leave a comment