If you ask me, any sort of attempt to even try to bring together the worlds of black and folk metal is virtually always worthy of investigation simply because of the prospect of a successful attempt which, when one does come around, is always a sight to behold. I don’t think many of us expect to see much of it outside of Europe given that’s where it seems to be all of the best acts of the style seem to come from, but that hasn’t stopped it from slowly creeping across the world. Down on the mountainous coastal country of Chile, we see such an example with Antucuran’s debut EP that is everything I could ever ask for.

With just four tracks and a runtime that’s not even thirty minutes, it wouldn’t be a stretch for anyone to doubt just how Antucuran could make a decent impression with their debut. Surely, the end result would be a work that shows their potential but doesn’t feel it cashes in on a surprise factor to provide us with something that’s pretty shocking, right? As you might have guessed, it’s in every way with “La Maldicion del Gobernador Manqueante” that this wild septet blew all of my expectations away with just the first track alone to leave the rest of the EP to really melt my brains and leave my jaw hanging. There are so many moving parts to this EP that come together so exquisitely to a dramatic effect such that it makes you wonder how long Antucuran has been crafted this release for it truly feels like the beginnings of a masterwork albeit a work all on its own, and it’s an undeniable joy to fall into time after time. Neither the metal or folk aspects of the EP have the stage for too long as Antucuran has really nailed the precarious balancing act for the two sounds to provide an even listen that doesn’t feel too intense or too drenched in a natural theme, and it’s together that they perform a staggering duet that could damn near bring a tear to the eye should it be harnessed properly and sharpened overtime. It’s almost frustratingly good for I simply just want more and more of Antucuran to eat right up with everything that they executed wondrously with “La Maldicion del Gobernador Manqueante”, and I would dare anyone to travel into this alluring, misty creation and come out not wanting to run back in so that they can experience those grand visions of fantastical origin more and more.

The temptation to label this band as potentially a Chilean version of Sojourner is immensely high for me, but I will refrain since we simply don’t know what the future holds. That being said, though, I cannot help but highly suggest both investigating this EP as soon as you can as well as keeping a supremely sharp eye on what Antucuran will hopefully deliver in the future for if it is to be better than this creation then we’re truly in for something exceptional. “La Maldicion del Gobernador Manqueante” is the best possible foot that Antucuran could’ve put forth with their debut effort, and I truly hope they get the recognition they deserve.

LISTEN to “La Maldicion del Gobernador Manqueante” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Antucuran on Facebook here.