Some of the best things come completely out of left field with no warning whatsoever, and that makes the great material all the more glorious because of how random they seem. The very underground of Bandcamp can often be the perfect place to find something you weren’t expecting to simply due to the overflowing number of bands that are constantly putting out material with a few drops in that ocean being true gems that many will, unfortunately, pass up because of the flood of others. It was very much so that was going to be the case with me and Bull of Apis Bull of Bronze until a keen pair of ears pointed me in their direction, and now I cannot help but implore you all to check out this absolute marvelous work.

It wouldn’t be fair to call the debut album from Bull of Apis Bull of Bronze unknown in any capacity as some great sites have picked it up, given it loads of warranted praise, and people have followed suit to give “Offering of Flesh and Gold” the credit it deserves, but it wouldn’t be far off to say that this work still isn’t widely known. And that’s a damn shame. The cover art is absolutely exquisite and somehow fits the material perfectly, but the three tracks that Bull of Apis Bull of Bronze bring forth for their debut are far from anything bright or wondrous that the cover might imply. Instead, “Offering of Flesh and Gold” is a truly harrowing work that is meant to eat all forms of light such that the devouring darkness can shine all on its own and it’s through tremendous atmospheres and an astonishing command over the chaos that Bull of Apis Bull of Bronze wields with terrifying intent, but they’re also capable of so much more. There are tons of moments spread throughout this entrancing album that the listener can easily find themselves in either a hypnotic trance as “Offerings of Flesh and Gold” lures in the listener in with a sweet treat or an exceedingly odd level of meditation with which the record closes with after an impressive 22-minute epic that shows us what Bull of Apis Bull of Bronze is truly capable of. When it’s put together with the other two tracks that are no less than stunning in quality and execution, I can’t help but say with absolute confidence that this album alone shows that we’ve gotten something truly special not just from “Offerings of Flesh and Gold” but Bull of Apis Bull of Bronze who may just become the new hottest band in the atmospheric black metal landscape that simply must be heard.

There are tons of bands that can match such a description, but if Bull of Apis Bull of Bronze can have any sort of lasting power then they will be a name to know and fucking respect in their scene. Every harrowing moment of “Offerings of Flesh and Gold” are not to be trifled with, and it’s at every turn that this album shows us this band is something else entirely and I simply can’t wait to hear more!

LISTEN to “Offerings of Flesh and Gold” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Bull of Apis Bull of Bronze on Facebook here.