Vidharr
Rising From Abyss

The cursed allure of Black Metal claims victims all over the globe, and even in the Italian peninsula, the number of groups devoted to the Dark Word is exponentially increasing. Fascinated by the recent releases of bands like Obscure Devotion and Imago Mortis, I decided to rediscover this rough diamond entitled "Rising From Abyss," a demo dated 2005 produced by the Romans, Vidharr.

The talented group, founded about three years ago as a Doom project, showcases in this work an extraordinary maturity and talent for a band of such recent formation. "Rising From Abyss" is a masterful testament to the band's love for early '90s Norwegian Black; the EP, which makes use of the typical raw production, lasts less than twenty minutes and is divided into four acts. The first track, "Murder In Snow", opens with a majestic riff typical of Scandinavian schools, then explodes into a verse of desperate violence. The song is highly enjoyable, interspersed with expressive acoustic guitars that add the right amount of iciness and folklore to the whole. In the second position, we find the praise of Evil, "Evil's Glory"; supported by martial and relentless rhythms, the track is enhanced by an extremely abrasive vocal performance, culminating in the chorus with a great alternation of screams and growls. "Carpathian Forest", a cover of Hellcommander Nattefrost's group, lasts only a couple of minutes, but is able to impress favorably once again, delivering great malignity in the central part with a venomous mid-tempo. The conclusion of the demo is entrusted to "After The War", an excellent outro, semi-acoustic, and a melancholic march towards oblivion; a highly evocative way to conclude an impressive work.

"Rising From Abyss" is indeed a true godsend for lovers of true Black Metal, and as an enthusiast, I can only wish Vidharr to achieve all the success they deserve for their talent.