Review by TheOneNeverSeen on April 10, 2023.

Gyrdleah's first full-length shows considerable increase in diversity since its 2011 debut EP Passage Into The Night. Possessing a satisfying sound and a bleak atmosphere, it also offers many exciting melodies that most fans of the genre are likely to appreciate.

Starting off with a cool riff of 'Stab The Lamb' (love the consonances like that used in song titles), the album instantly sets a dark mood created by its mighty guitar sound, Flagrum's impressive shrieks and solid clean drumming alongside the unobtrusive yet appropriate bass. The mood of the album is uneven, varying from Mgła-like spirit of the aforementioned 'GYFU' and 'Gathered For The Murder' to a more epic, Dark Funeral/Nocturnal Depression one of 'Speak Of The Devil' and the title track.

Speaking of the changes made to the band's sound, there is quite a lot to mention. First, the guitar tone is much nicer and thicker, not as "dry" as on Passage Into The Night. The singing is roughly the same aside from the nearly prog-like vocals on 'Six Hundred Threescore and Six', something not used by Flagrum before. Finally, probably due to a new drummer participating in the recording of the album, the drumming is much more entertaining. Overall, the songs became faster and more energetic, developing the mysterious, somber atmosphere even better than on the 2011 EP.

What I especially love about Spellbinder is its consistency. Most songs offer solid grim black metal, with even the two short instrumental tracks, 'Approaching Gyrdleah' and 'Outro' having nice atmospheric passages, adding to the album's beautiful flow. Ironically, the track I enjoyed the least is the album's first single with a very creative name 'VVitch', the guitar work on w(h)itch is not as good, the melody is rather blurry and the odd drum-less passage in the middle fails to make the track interesting or captivating. However, considering I enjoyed the rest of the songs, I don't view this as a significant issue.

In conclusion, Spellbinder is a creative, dark and highly enjoyable release that certainly expands the boundaries of Flagrum's craft a lot. I will definitely be waiting for the band’s next material, for the one we have at the moment is highly promising.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by Krys on September 2, 2019.

One look at the cover or one glimpse at the title - Drowned in Gangrenous Blood - and you pretty much know exactly what type of metal is served by four Greeks under the Vultur's moniker. Let's add some influences by bands ending with -tion, like Suffocation, Immolation, Incantation mixed with dose of Morbid Angel and by now you should know if this is your gem or should you move on to the next release already.

For better part of the record Vultur creates creepy atmosphere by operating in mid, shit-heavy tempos enjoying drowning its victims in putrid gory baths with morbid harmonies and spewed up vocals, but when necessary also not shying away from occasional outbursts of belligerence with blasts ridden tracks like in two openers; 'Groans of Excruciating Torture' and 'Drowned in Gangrenous Blood'. Sick and gloomy guitar leads laid down throughout the record are my personal highlights here, adding spacious element to otherwise suffocating and torturous riffs. At times, Vultur even plunge into doom territories to make sure your unquenchable thirst for death is completely satisfied by the time the album hits the last note. Little over 35 minutes of dense chugging guitars, thick bass lines and double bass rolls with no tricks or gimmicks will definitely get the job done but while taking a massive leap forward compared to the debut Entangled In The Webs Of Fear, more variety would definitely have higher overall replay value and keep the connection with the listener a bit more intimate. But on the other hand, do I want closer bond with those gangrene drenched death metal fluids? Hell no, let them bath in their own pile of feces.

Low and thick but with all instruments not choked in its own mud production, Drowned in Gangrenous Blood is a pleasure to listen to and while you won't find new elements or progressive arrangements, Vultur compensates those gaps by coming across with genuine effort delivering no compromise, pure vintage death metal. After all, that's all I need to make a new record as part of my collection.

Rating: 8 out of 10