Review by Vladimir on April 21, 2024.

Recently I had the opportunity to review Leviathan, the latest album of the Russian black metal band Godcider, and it left me quite satisfied with its final result. However, before that, I was asked to check out the band’s previously released EP Mrakobesje Ili Smrt that came out on October 5th, 2021 via Demented Omen Of Masochism. This EP includes the guest appearance of bassist Károly “Khargash” on 'Deuteronomium 12:3', as well as the Agvares vocalist Vandal on 'Bjesovi'. Mrakobesje Ili Smrt could in some ways be considered as a calm before the storm, as it was slightly hinting to Godcider’s weapon of mass destruction that came out 2 years later. Without further ado, let’s get into Mrakobesje Ili Smrt, shall we?

Godcider unleashes misanthropy and death through its militant black metal output that bursts out like a machine gun, unloading all clips like a ravaging blood-thirsty maniac on 'Kriegmesser' and onwards. The journey becomes more maniacal once the third track 'Bjesovi' comes, which features the guest vocalist Vandal of Agvares, alongside the title track 'Mrakobesje Ili Smrt' with double-bass drumming and blast beats that sound like goddamn minigun fire. Alongside the main five tracks, we also have three bonus tracks that are a bit of a departure from the established style of the previous five, and they differ in sound production as well, which are taken from Godcider’s Let It Burn EP from 2018, however they don’t stray of the course and they are more than welcome additions.

Songwriting-wise, for the most part, it is very simplistic and easy to follow along, with much less dynamics and more “straight to the point” approach. The strong emphasis lies within the primitive and commanding aggression that Godcider conveys through the music, with drums and shouting harsh vocals being the most dominant elements alongside the guitar riffs, however that isn’t to say there isn’t any banger riffs to be heard all throughout the EP, in fact there are plenty of very banger ones throughout the first 4 or 5 tracks, and you’ve also got a pretty solid guitar solo on 'Blue Eyed Demons' bonus track. There were often times when I felt like the EP was a tad bit lackluster and not hitting the spot just right way, but overall, I’d say that the general performance truly does feel remarkable and ungodly, to the point where you’d think that this is a soundtrack to the apocalypse. Despite the last three bonus tracks being exceptions, the EP has got a modern production with a heavy guitar tone, although personally I’d say that drums sound a bit too artificial in some places, but the triggered double-bass really makes it feel too clicky and anticlimactic.

It’s hard to say whether this EP truly hinted at something bigger and stronger that was yet to come, but it sure as hell did promise a lot for the future. It is a fun EP that is worth the while, and it offers just enough to feed your thirst for misanthropic black metal murder. Although I much prefer the full-length album Leviathan that came after, I think that Mrakobesje Ili Smrt did a good job as a precursor to Godcider’s musical mayhem that followed.

Rating: 7.6 out of 10

Review by Adam M on September 14, 2014.

Solstafir has created an album with an even more relaxing atmosphere than its previous entry Svartir Sandar. The wondrous ocean in the background on the album cover nicely represents the movements of music that are gone through here.

Songs typically feature softer moments that built up into a climax of more powerful moments. A great example of this is the title track, which has beautiful strings that are the background of the song and an increase in intensity that is wondrous to behold. “Midaftann” features beautiful piano and stands out as the most subtle piece here. One can also be overwhelmed by the last couple of minutes of “Lagnetti” and its use of piano. Overall, the tracks need time to get stuck in the listener’s mind and once they do the album can become more addictive.

This is also an album that is good for relaxing, despite partially belonging to the heavy metal genre. The mood or atmosphere is an important part of music and the amount that is created on Otta is overwhelming. The folk element of the music that is contained here is masked in a larger degree of atmospherics. The tag atmospheric metal might actually thus be largely appropriate for the music here. Instrumentally, a very sparse sound is accompanied by several instruments, much like Agalloch, but I think Solstafir has the advantage over that band this year.

Check out this new work and the band’s previous album while you’re at it and become enraptured by what is turning out to be one of the better bands in music these days. Otta is compelling from one song to the next.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Adam M on September 14, 2014.

Solstafir has created an album with an even more relaxing atmosphere than its previous entry Svartir Sandar. The wondrous ocean in the background on the album cover nicely represents the movements of music that are gone through here.

Songs typically feature softer moments that built up into a climax of more powerful moments. A great example of this is the title track, which has beautiful strings that are the background of the song and an increase in intensity that is wondrous to behold. “Midaftann” features beautiful piano and stands out as the most subtle piece here. One can also be overwhelmed by the last couple of minutes of “Lagnetti” and its use of piano. Overall, the tracks need time to get stuck in the listener’s mind and once they do the album can become more addictive.

This is also an album that is good for relaxing, despite partially belonging to the heavy metal genre. The mood or atmosphere is an important part of music and the amount that is created on Otta is overwhelming. The folk element of the music that is contained here is masked in a larger degree of atmospherics. The tag atmospheric metal might actually thus be largely appropriate for the music here. Instrumentally, a very sparse sound is accompanied by several instruments, much like Agalloch, but I think Solstafir has the advantage over that band this year.

Check out this new work and the band’s previous album while you’re at it and become enraptured by what is turning out to be one of the better bands in music these days. Otta is compelling from one song to the next.

Rating: 9 out of 10