Review by Vladimir on April 23, 2023.

Here I am back with more Norwegian black metal, this time focusing on a two-piece band Ekrom. The band's lineup consists of drummer Thomas Ødegaard (AKA Tex Terror, longtime drummer/vocalist of Nocturnal Breed) and vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Kharon, an early member of Norway's Covenant. Their upcoming debut full-length album Uten Nådigst Formildelse will be released on June 6th via Edged Circle Productions.

We kick things off with the track 'Bell Witch' where not even a fraction of a second passed and there's already blast-beats, tremolo riffs and melodies, with pretty ugly shrieking harsh vocals that sound as if Kharon is choking, reminding me a lot of Pest when he was still singing in Gorgoroth. Luckily, the album is not all blast beats though, as it changes the tempo drastically to standard double-bass drumming during the slower riff sections, keeping the dynamics flowing. From the second track 'The Black Flame of Seth', songs get even more interesting. They also introduce some powerful synths and open string guitar riffs, providing a more symphonic and melodic vibe to the overall darkness. The sixth track 'I Djevelens Skygge' is probably the most wicked sounding out of all the songs on the album, with very creepy gothic choirs which might give you chills shivering down your spine. The album's raw and sinister atmosphere, including the overall performance, really oozes of pure dark, magical and medieval vibe. Although there aren't any moments in particular that standout on this album, there is still plenty of substance, which I consider enjoyable and decent enough to hold your attention throughout your listening. The sound production, although pretty raw and cold for black metal, has a nice genuine feeling as if it came straight from the 90's because of the guitar tone and distorted vocals that managed to create and perfectly shape that atmosphere.

Although this may be nothing but another black metal album in Norway's catalog, nonetheless it was a decent experience which wasn't a mood killer by any means. You can clearly hear that Ekrom is a lovechild of two experienced veterans in the Norwegian black metal scene, which will definitely last for some time and I hope that they also intend to keep it that way.

Rating: 8.1 out of 10

Review by Alex on April 4, 2021.

Cult Graves' newly born beast of EP is a blood-pumping assault on the ears of the listener from start to end. To be rightly released through Godz Ov War whose catalog continues to climb and be magnified with material that has become coveted in the eyes of many, shows us the lengths to which this deadly duo would go to achieve what they want within the sordid subgenre.

What would emerge as a rendition and bow to old school death metal easily begins to tear itself apart and fragment into a deranged mess of barbed-wire brutality and bludgeoning. Like tossing random instruments from 50 feet above to the ground, the material on this EP emits a ransacking clamor that you’d begin to experience with the introduction of 'Necrophidius'. However, there is structure and purpose to it all that you would begin to understand as the tunes progress and develop. The vocals also would follow in the footsteps that’d go from a dirty uproar of death metal growls to a hulking spew of Ooga Booga barks and howls all the while riding the instrumental stampede.

Caveman style sonic architecture is the motto on Cult Graves' Strange Customs. 'Abomination Rites' and 'Cruor Upheaval' are death metal grittiness; colorless and rugged, these tunes are barbaric and devastating. But even within the chaotic soup of death and black lies a glowing display of instrumental skill vacillating the record. Expansive doom metal sections can be heard stretching to consume the material before resisted by the onslaught of resurging blows. The guitars are in your face with persistent havoc of their own to supplement the throbbing drum kit frenzy. However, you’ll have to dig beyond the surface a bit to find the magic of the riffs.

For the veteran listener, Strange Customs will sound like food for the soul, to the newcomer, the interpretation would only reflect a torrent of confusion. Along with the band's past demo material being added to the CD release, the record sums up to a 36-minute practice in desecration. It's good to see yet another commendable and quality entity given sanctuary within the forsaken morass of Godz Ov War. Far too often capable bands get lost within the cluster of noise, however, that’s not to be the case with Cult Graves. Strange Customs is a sonic nuisance that will please audiences favorable of such crushing calamity.

Rating: 8 out of 10