For all the different scenes across all the different styles the world over, there are always a handful of bastions in different countries that every sound can rely on in some form or another. For death metal, the United States, Finland, and Sweden are but three such standout sources of that sound with black metal far from the exception with the sound having grand representation in many countries all across the globe. In the vast expanse of Russia, black metal has gained quite a foothold with many an act showcasing prowess and expertise undeniable. With their latest creation, Vspolokh only adds further credit to such a truth.

It’s no surprise anymore to see black metal pull from different folklore and offer different perspectives on what the black metal sound can be in damn near every given form, yet some iterations clearly stand above others for what they can bring to the table. In Russia, there’s truly no shortage of folklore or mythology for any number of bands to draw inspiration from with many able to deliver without repeating one another. From the Ural region did Vspolokh decide to pull from in order to bring “Mertvozem” to life for all of its dark and intrinsic nuances that never once miss an opportunity to deliver some of the finest that Russian black metal has been able to deliver in recent times. A thoughtful approach to the sound that brings to light local tales that rarely see the light of day on any sort of scale to where outsiders can really lose themselves in the snowy mysteries that lie within, Vspolokh taps into something special to make these long-winded bouts of cold rhythm something that really captures the imagination and delivers black metal on a level that only the finest are able to achieve. Vspolokh has already made a name for itself and for good reason, but it’s through the whole of “Mertvozem” that we see a mature act throwing down some of its best material to date that manages to be captivating, darkly enchanting, and outright magnificent from top to bottom as black metal is given extreme justice at every turn for the utter entirety of these six tracks.

Russia has been a real bastion for metal for quite some time with no style holding quite a dominating hold upon the country’s vast landscape, yet black metal has remained a constant in what the country has always been able to throw down with surprising aptitude. Where possibility has presented itself and many have found their claim to excellence in some form or another, Vspolokh accomplishes that and somehow a little bit more with “Mertvozem”.

LISTEN to “Mertvozem” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Vspolokh on Facebook here.