Origin: Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands 🇳🇱
Genre: Black Metal
The Netherlands’ Helleruin – the solo black metal project of one Carchost – happens to be one of the European scene’s best kept secrets. Emboldened by the spirit of war and driven by misanthropy, this soon-to-be institution of a black metal endeavor has – since its inception in 2015 – enraptured its listeners with the unfiltered nature of its music as created by our embattled soldier. Not raw, but pure and downright heartwarming in its genuineness. Call it true black metal…
In March of 2021, during the height of plague and in the midst of global hysteria, Helleruin set the gears of war against humanity into motion with its debut LP, “War Upon Man”. And with this drawing of first blood, this lethal yet classy and spellbinding volume of war, Carchost is carving his self into an elite niche within the scene alongside some of his equally brilliant contemporaries: Werwolf (Satanic Warmaster), Sgah’gahsowáh (Blackbraid), M. (Lamp of Murmuur) and Saasta (Sieluhaaska).
With “War Upon Man”, Carchost brings the quintessential black metal album to the table and nothing less. A would be perfect introduction to the genre for any fresh blood newcomer yet wholesomely appealing to even the curmudgeonly purist. War is the message here, but not in the Marduk sense of conceptualization. This feels more like a personal war, a statement of one against all and there appears to be no forgiveness or mercy to be granted. Warmongering cuts like “None of Us” and “No Elegance / Entrenchment” soar melodic heights and scale sheer, segmented compositional bluffs that stretch well into majestic azure. Every warm and easy-flowing passage leaves you in calm anticipation of the next as you – like a soldier at ease in the heat of battle and killing with deadly rhythm – delightfully make your way through each and every minute.
When an artist can transcend traditional black metal while simultaneously hugging the curves of fundamentalism, a coveted balance is achieved; one that seems out of reach to most. Only those with a profound understanding of black metal and the kind of class that comes with time possess the ability to create perfect BM like this. The way the cold chasmic atmosphere absorbs every temped note, the seamless compositional transitions, the melody and the desperation. But mainly, it’s the brilliant simplicity of it all that makes this album special – Da Vinci’s perfect circle – a wisely put together, smooth as satin recording. “Passage” and the closing titular cut channel the Finnish style like the rest of the tracks on the album and like most contemporary European black metal songs/albums do these days. Dripping with melody, radiating melancholy and guitar parts rolling along at mid-tempo in contrast to the paradiddle & blast-beat-laden rhythmic current. Not your dry and raw early 90’s inspired black metal album here, but not the latest Nordjevel record either.
Helleruin and “War Upon Man” represent everything proper BM stands for: tradition, artfulness, aggression, misanthropy, war and adversity. And the music a flawless soundtrack to it all. There are no distractions here to draw your attention away from the purity of it; no chorales, no symphony, no keyboards and no synth… Only the baser elements of black metal to elevate your soul and consciousness to the next level, and isn’t that the way it should be? What we’re all looking for? An album to be studied and to be remembered by.
10/10
Experience “War Upon Man” by Helleruin right here as presented by Black Metal Promotion:
~Jeger
