• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Candarian Demon Productions certainly know how to sort the wheat from the chaff when it comes to picking bands. Here we have another fine release from this label in the form of Lithuanian black metallers Blackthru. Blackthru (or as they are now known Triangle of Art – the band decided on the name change shortly after this album was released), play an atmospheric brand of black metal, not too far removed from early Gehenna, albeit with slightly rougher, Slavonic edge to its sound (with a few touches of Drudkh thrown in).

Beginning with sounds of the forest topped by a wistful acoustic guitar line, it's not long before the melancholic guitarwork weaves it magic over gurgling, raspy vocals, whilst the soothing synthesizers embrace the sound tightly, giving a floaty, ethereal tone to the proceedings. The drums merely do their job and, although programmed, they sound quite earthy and realistic compared to some I've heard, adding a strong backbone to the riffs without being overtly outlandish. There isn't a huge amount of dynamics when it comes to tempo, but this is a good thing, simply due to the fact the album is pretty much mid-paced throughout, it adds to the atmosphere with early Emperor-like keyboards over openly strummed harshly distorted treble-soaked guitars.

This is only the 2nd Lithuanian band I've ever heard (the other being the excellent Poccolus), but it certainly seems these Lithuanians know their stuff better than a lot of Scandinavians when it comes to black metal. After hearing this album, and witnessing the impressive atmosphere it invokes, I'll definitely be interested to see what path will be followed next, and if the change of band name brings with it a change of musical style. Another seditious release to keep the flame of the underground burning strong – so that's a thumbs up from me.