ORDER OF NOSFERAT “Vampiric Wrath Unleashed”

We’re not talking about some guy’s basement black metal here. The BM created by this undead dual entity not only pays homage to those fabled days of olde when the Wampyr stalked its prey under guise of mortality, but also to the darkest forbidden dungeons wherein the fiercest and most ancient breeds of nightstalker dwell – unleashing their wrath upon the holy crusader or anyone else foolish enough to enter their lair. On December 21, Order of Nosferat released their highly anticipated fourth album “Vampiric Wrath Unleashed” via Purity Through Fire.

Stripped-down, raw on the edges yet wholesomely charming in its warmth for purity and utterly indulgent in its melodicism, “Vampiric Wrath Unleashed” offers a multi-sided experience – one that encapsulates just about every defining true black metal characteristic you can think of from its aforementioned unfiltered production to its sinister energy and even its classic cover art. And it’s all accented by enchanting dungeon synth interludes like “A Howl From the Forbidden Tower” and “Fog Hide the Secrets to the Forlorn Kingdom” that serve to deepen an already rich experience as opposed to just being a waste of valuable recording space. These mood-setters transition with impactful momentum into the record’s lead cuts – brilliant yet fundamentally composed dirges: “Shadows Over Wisborg” and “…of Treachery and Bloodshed” that call from somewhere beyond the coffin and hit the same sweet spot as, say, Horna’s 2005 full-length “Envaatnags Eflos Solf Esgantaavne” or Sargeist’s latest album, “Unbound”. The great differentiator between these being “VWU’s” predatory yet elegant Wampyric vibe.

I wouldn’t say that “Vampiric Wrath Unleashed” is strictly for the purist; only because there’s so much to appreciate beyond what most who are unversed in the crimes of black metal perceive as “poor recording quality”. From within this modestly produced gem, you’ll take in a plethora of dynamic parts consisting of soaring synth-backed melodic sequences, memorable guitar riffs, and driving rhythmic patterns. And if you’re like me – someone who actually appreciates baser recording techniques and who also understands why true black metal bands use them, you’ll also find yourself reveling in the warmth of what feels like a simpler time or even a more wholesome place within these otherwise macabre musical environments. This one took me by surprise. One of the several great year-ending black metal albums of 2022.